49ers GM excited for Jennings’ milestone, reacts to end zone clash with Lions’ Arnold

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings is on the brink of a significant milestone, needing just 77 yards to achieve his first career 1,000-yard season. If he accomplishes the feat, Jennings will become the first 49ers receiver drafted in the sixth round or later to surpass 1,000 yards since the late Dwight Clark did so in 1981.

During a Friday interview on Bay Area radio station KNBR, general manager John Lynch responded to the comparison of Jennings' potential accomplishment to that of Dwight Clark.

"That's really cool. I knew about the thousand. I did not know that about Dwight," Lynch said. "So, that'd be really cool. It's easy to pull for Jauan because of the effort he gives on a week-in, week-out basis. So, that would be really cool."

Jennings will catch passes from quarterback Josh Dobbs in Sunday's season finale against the Arizona Cardinals. Regular starter Brock Purdy is sidelined with a right elbow contusion and nerve inflammation sustained in Monday night's game against the Detroit Lions.

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Dobbs and Jennings, former Tennessee Volunteers teammates, share a history that Lynch hopes will contribute to Jennings' success on Sunday.

"Hopefully, we can get that done," Lynch said of Jennings potentially reaching his milestone. "Two Tennessee Volunteers, college teammates, out there together. They definitely have a connection."

Aside from Clark, the only other 49ers wide receiver drafted in the sixth round or later to reach 1,000 receiving yards was R.C. Owens in 1961, making Jennings' potential accomplishment even more notable.

"That's pretty good company," Lynch added. "That would be cool."

Reaction to Jennings-Arnold confrontation

Jennings has built a reputation as a physical and tenacious player, particularly in blocking situations. That was evident on Monday night when he aggressively blocked Lions defensive back Terrion Arnold out of the end zone, sparking a brief scuffle and offsetting penalties.

Lynch shared his thoughts on the play and Jennings' intensity.

"I loved it," Lynch said. "I don't love 15-yard penalties, and fortunately, it was offset. But Kyle has something that he always says, and I think it's so true. Games are won on the fronts, right? But if you want to set the tone, do your receivers block, and do your corners tackle? I think that's a big litmus test for what teams are ready to play.

"And Jauan's always ready. Earlier in that drive, [Lions S] Brian Branch is just a tremendous player, I think one of the better defensive players in football, and Jauan had Brian Branch 25 yards down the field earlier in that drive. Is that cheap? No, he's just playing between the whistles, on the one, through the end zone, into the cheap seats."

Lynch corrected himself, noting that end-zone seats are no longer cheap. In fact, they are now quite expensive.

"He maybe took it a little far, but I want that in a so-called meaningless game because I think guys like that, that's contagious competitiveness, and that's who Jauan Jennings is," Lynch continued. "That's why we love him. Next time, you tell him, 'Hey, when you drive him through the end zone, you should probably stop.'

"And the good thing about Jauan is he's coachable. He'll listen. And so, I loved it. I think they're a tough football team. I've got a lot of respect for them. So, not advocating for things like that, but I love the spirit, is what I love."

You can listen to Lynch's entire interview below.