The San Francisco 49ers worked out four linebackers on Wednesday and reportedly plan to sign Eugene Asante. The moves prompted fans to ask why the team is focusing on linebacker depth when wide receiver remains a concern.
The 49ers could still add a wide receiver ahead of Monday night's Week 6 matchup against the Washington Commanders. With Deebo Samuel sidelined by a hamstring injury, San Francisco has just four healthy wide receivers on its active roster: Mike Evans, Brandin Cooks, Jacob Cowing, and Jordan Watkins.
It's worth noting that Evans is playing through a rib injury.
The 49ers' linebacker shortage stems from a one-game suspension for starter Dre Greenlaw and a hamstring injury to Garret Wallow. Neither player will be available against Washington, leaving San Francisco with four available linebackers on the active roster: Fred Warner, Jaden Dugger, Luke Gifford, and Tatum Bethune.
On Monday, head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked whether the 49ers have enough wide receiver depth for their upcoming matchup against the Commanders.
"I think we have enough," Shanahan answered. "We've got three guys on practice squad also who can help. Anytime you lose this number of guys, four guys or five guys, whatever it is, it's a huge challenge. But we do have guys in this building who can do it, and we'll always look."
The decision to bring in another linebacker, though a wide receiver addition remains possible, likely reflects the team's immediate need for practice depth. San Francisco has just one linebacker, Jalen Graham, on its practice squad. The team has four wide receivers available there: Malik Turner, Will Pauling, Xavier Smith, and Wesley Grimes.
The 49ers can use practice squad elevations to add reinforcements for Monday night's game. That, along with pass-catching weapons like tight end George Kittle and running back Christian McCaffrey, should give quarterback Brock Purdy enough options.
While the situation is far from ideal, San Francisco could move forward with its current wide receiver group for Week 6, hoping another injury doesn't further diminish depth.
"That's why we always like to get five up for game day," Shanahan added. "We've got four guys on our roster, so we'll most likely decide on one of those guys throughout the week."
The team's upcoming Week 8 bye should also give injured players time to recover and potentially return to the lineup in the games that follow.
More info on: Tatum Bethune, Brandin Cooks, Jacob Cowing, Jaden Dugger, Mike Evans, Luke Gifford, Jalen Graham, Dre Greenlaw, Wesley Grimes, George Kittle, Christian McCaffrey, Will Pauling, Brock Purdy, Deebo Samuel, Xavier Smith, Garret Wallow, Fred Warner, Jordan Watkins
Comments