San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Junior Bergen got his first taste of NFL action during Saturday's preseason opener against the Denver Broncos, returning a punt for 28 yards and two kickoff returns totaling 40 yards. Though targeted once on offense, Bergen did not record a catch in his NFL debut.

The 49ers drafted Bergen primarily to bolster their return game on special teams. However, injuries have thinned the receiving corps, giving Bergen increased opportunities to contribute offensively during training camp.


"That's why we brought him here, because of his return ability that he had in college," head coach Kyle Shanahan said this week. "But he's gotten a lot more opportunities going into this camp, being down more guys than we initially expected. I think he's shown he is ready for it."

After Tuesday's practice, Bergen reflected on his first preseason game experience.

"Very exciting," he said. "I've dreamt of that moment for quite some time, and I'm so thankful God blessed me to go out there and play the game I love, and come out of it healthy. Unfortunately, we didn't get a win, but it was nice to just experience all that."

Bergen also praised wide receivers coach Leonard Hankerson for pushing the young wideouts on the roster to grasp the complex 49ers playbook quickly.

"It takes a lot of studying to understand," Bergen admitted. "Our playbook is pretty complicated for the receivers, but we've got a lot of guys who've played quite a bit of ball in the room, and they've also helped."


Among those mentors is Brandon Aiyuk, who has been sidelined since October 2024 due to ACL and MCL injuries. Though Aiyuk isn't expected to return at the start of the 2025 season, he remains a vital resource for Bergen and the other young receivers.

"I've talked to B.A. quite a bit," Bergen said, "just asked him stuff about his rookie year, how it was for him, and the things he does at the line of scrimmage, the things he does at the top of his route. Just trying to pick up little pieces from everyone's game, and try to put it into mine as well."

Aiyuk has encouraged Bergen by sharing his own rookie struggles and emphasizing the importance of hard work and continuous growth.

"He's been a big influence," Bergen added. "He was telling me the growth that he's made, and he's just explaining little things to me, and just breaking it down to where I can understand it, because he's been in those shoes."

For Bergen, demonstrating versatility—contributing on special teams and offense—is crucial for securing a lasting role in the NFL.


"He's been able to catch the ball good," Shanahan said, "he's learned the playbook, we've been able to put him in there and use him as a receiver, and that definitely helps his chances."

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