ATLANTA — In the 49ers’ 29-20 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday that included numerous mistakes, Jordan Watkins’ production was a bright spot. The second-year wideout, who was a healthy scratch for the first two weeks of the 2026 NFL season, stepped up in the absence of five starting 49ers wide receivers. Watkins went to coach Kyle Shanahan earlier in the season to ask what he could do to be better and has been improving ever since.
“I thought he stepped up and made some huge plays,” Shanahan said after the game. “He’s been playing well here these past three weeks and made a number of plays today.”
Shanahan emphasizes what players do without the ball in their hands, and Watkins proved he was listening and working on that aspect of his game with a key block in Kaelon Black’s 30-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Kaelon Black's FIRST NFL touchdown pic.twitter.com/newFFqriFS
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) October 25, 2026 George Kittle was so excited after the play that he went straight to Watkins to compliment his efforts before heading to the end zone to celebrate...
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