San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters Wednesday that wide receiver Jauan Jennings will be limited in practice but is expected to play Sunday when the team visits the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field for its 2025 season opener.
"He looked good on Monday, getting back into it," Shanahan said. "Having all that time off, we've gotta ease him in and stuff, so we'll see how this week goes. That's why he'll be limited today, but he's healthy enough to play football, and hopefully, that continues."
Jennings missed most of training camp due to a calf injury. The media has also linked his absence to an ongoing contract dispute with the team. The veteran receiver is entering the final year of the two-year deal he signed in 2024 and is pushing for a new agreement. With Brandon Aiyuk still sidelined, Jennings is expected to serve as San Francisco's top wide receiver.
Once again, Shanahan emphasized Jennings' importance to the roster.
"We love J.J.," Shanahan said. "When he's not there, he's greatly missed. And the way he carries himself, the energy he plays with, and how good of a player he is, makes everyone very excited."
While the 49ers want Jennings back on the field, Shanahan admitted that contract talks remain unresolved.
"I think I said at the beginning of training camp how badly myself and everyone in this building wants Jauan back," Shanahan said. "In the long term, we want Colton McKivitz back. Those are two guys that we really hope to keep here, but they're both going into their contract year. Nothing's ever final, but we'll see how it plays out. But there's a business side to both sides, but it's something that I think both sides would love to get worked out. Just don't know if we can."
Shanahan made it clear that the situation with Jennings isn't personal and has never been viewed as such. The receiver has been with the team—at the facility and in meetings—for all of training camp.
"No, it was never personal. It's business," Shanahan noted. "And that's the tough thing about this. I want every player to make as much money as possible. I want every coach, I want everybody to. It's just hard in situations to always do that. But that's something, as a coach, you're always pulling for.
"But also, I do understand the business, too. Sometimes it's hard when other people don't, so you've got to communicate with people and stuff like that, so it doesn't become personal. But the relationship I've always had with Jauan—never really worried about that."