While many believe the 49ers should prioritize bolstering their pass rush, CBS Sports' Josh Edwards identifies a different area of concern heading into Week 5. According to Edwards, the 49ers' wide receiver group is the team's biggest position need — a perspective reinforced by the latest injury report.
"San Francisco continues to deal with a mountain of injuries," Edwards wrote. "Quarterback Brock Purdy, tight end George Kittle, and the wide receivers have been most affected, but safety Malik Mustapha and edge rusher Nick Bosa are also on Injured Reserve."
Purdy has been ruled out of Thursday night's NFC West clash with the Los Angeles Rams, leaving Mac Jones to make his third start of the season. Two key offensive weapons, wide receivers Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings, are also unavailable.
Veteran receiver Brandon Aiyuk is eligible to start practicing, but the 49ers have yet to open his return window. Aiyuk is still recovering from the ACL and MCL injuries he suffered in October 2024 and doesn't appear close to returning to full strength.
"He's working hard, and we'll just continue to do that, and we'll be a better team when Brandon's out there," general manager John Lynch recently said. "And so, we look forward to that day, but it's not close. But when we have some more information on that, we'll be forthright with it."
Edwards points to the absence of Aiyuk and setbacks for Pearsall and Jennings as the primary reason the wide receiver unit needs reinforcement. While the team did bring in Kendrick Bourne to provide depth, the real solution may come down to health.
The 49ers need better luck in avoiding injuries, and their star trio getting back to 100% will go a long way to ensuring whoever is at quarterback has the playmakers to keep the offense rolling.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers' loss to Seahawks exposed a deeper problem heading into playoffs
It was the perfect storm. The 49ers went into the game Saturday night without their number 1 wide receiver, Ricky Pearsall. The significance of that was straightforward: quarterback Brock Purdy would need a little more time to throw since the player who can threaten the... -
Kyle Shanahan shares final updates ahead of 49ers-Seahawks Week 18 matchup
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke to reporters following Thursday's practice, providing final updates ahead of the team's Week 18 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. Here's everything he said. Transcript provided by the San Francisco 49ers Communications... -
49ers vs. Seahawks: 3 Keys to Clinching Home-Field Advantage in Week 18
The 2025 regular season comes down to one final game for the San Francisco 49ers—a Week 18 showdown against the Seattle Seahawks with everything on the line. The NFC West title, the potential No. 1 seed in the NFC, and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs all ride on... -
49ers WR Jauan Jennings cashes in on incentives despite Week 18 loss
The San Francisco 49ers may have suffered a disappointing Week 18 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, but wide receiver Jauan Jennings cashed in during the game. Jennings entered the matchup having played at least 35 offensive snaps in each of the previous 14 games, triggering $1.6...