After a slow start to the season while working through multiple injuries, wide receiver Jauan Jennings has hit his stride at the right time. He has scored six touchdowns over his last five games and found the end zone in seven of his past eight outings.
Since quarterback Brock Purdy returned in Week 11, Jennings has recorded 23 catches for 284 yards and six touchdowns, including a pivotal fourth-quarter score in the 49ers' 42-38 Week 17 win over the Chicago Bears.
"J.J. and I go back to when I first got in as a rookie, so it's been four years of playing football together," Purdy said on Wednesday. "I have the utmost respect for him. Just when you turn on the film, he's a guy that goes hard 24/7, run blocking, he catches a ball, and then he will try to drag three guys with him to get the first down. He's done that time and time again."
Jennings and the 49ers navigated a contract standoff before the season, ultimately resolving it with added incentives. Still, the veteran receiver is on track to hit free agency, and with Brandon Aiyuk's future uncertain, the position's future remains a major storyline.
Purdy views Jennings' physical style and reliability as essential to the offense.
"He's a guy that you want on your team to go and battle for and with," Purdy said. "And so, I have nothing but love for J.J., and I know it's vice versa. Together, we want to play with each other as long as we can. He's always going to be where he needs to be. I'm going to try to get him the ball as much as I can.
"And obviously, the whole contract thing, that was what it was, but I was so excited just to get him back and get going. I feel like we've found our stride and we've just got to keep it up."
Against Chicago, Jennings made the most of limited chances—two catches for 42 yards and the game-changing touchdown. Offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak said the 49ers tried to get him involved early but couldn't connect.
"But shoot, when we needed a big play in the fourth quarter ... he was just so ready to catch that ball and react," Kubiak said. "He's been a huge target for us in the red zone. It's his size, it's his competitiveness, it's how he wins on routes. Yeah, he's been our guy, who's made those big plays, too, in the pass game. So, it's been awesome."
The 49ers value Jennings' toughness. He has played through ankle sprains, a shoulder injury, and broken ribs this season after battling a calf issue in training camp.
"And with any player who goes through that, it's going to take time to get back to where you're feeling like yourself as a football player," Kubiak said. "We know he is now. I think Jauan's playing his best football. That's a huge challenge, to be banged up, to miss time in training camp, and then to be expected to go out there and be a really productive player.
"He battled through all that stuff, mentally, physically, and we love where he is at. That's part of what makes Jauan who he is. He's a grinder. He battles. He doesn't let anything get the best of him. He just keeps competing."