Tag: Jacob Cowing

49ers may need to make special teams change in Week 12

An injury could force a change on special teams for the 49ers.

Injuries to defensive end Nick Bosa and quarterback Brock Purdy headline some potential health issues that could force changes on each side of the ball for the San Francisco 49ers when they visit the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

However, a concussion for rookie fourth-round wide receiver Jacob Cowing could push the 49ers into a change on special teams as well.

Cowing has handled punt return duties for the 49ers this season and sustained a concussion in Week 11 when he took a knee to the helmet on a punt return.

He was limited in Wednesday’s practice which provided some optimism that he may be able to pass concussion protocol in time to suit up Sunday. Thursday’s practice report showed Cowing as a non-participant, which throws his status for Sunday’s showdown with the Packers into doubt.

San Francisco has a handful of options to replace Cowing if he’s unable to clear protocol.

Second-year WR Ronnie Bell returned punts for the 49ers last season and worked in there during training camp. Rookie first-round WR Ricky Pearsall has also fielded punts in practice during his time with the 49ers. Pearsall also handled 15 punt returns during his two seasons at the University of Florida.

The only player to return a punt besides Cowing this year was fullback Kyle Juszczyk, but it’s unclear whether the team would want to utilize him there for an entire game. He’s also an option if the club isn’t confident in Bell or Cowing.

Veteran wide receiver Trent Taylor is also available on the practice squad. He’s spent most of his career as a reliable punt returner, and if Cowing is out there could be room for the team to elevate Taylor from the practice roster.

Cowing this season has returned 15 punts for 124 yards with a long of 31 yards. He’s also had two muffed punts, although one came when CB Darrell Luter Jr. was blocked into him.

We’ll find out Friday if Cowing has a chance to go Sunday.

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Kyle Shanahan comments on rookie WR aren’t encouraging

So, why didn’t Jacob Cowing play against the Rams?

Rookie wide receiver Jacob Cowing’s absence from a third consecutive game raised some eyebrows after the San Francisco 49ers’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Cowing figured to be a player who saw a bigger role with veteran WR Deebo Samuel sidelined by a calf injury. His absence wasn’t much of a story as WR Jauan Jennings put up an 11-catch, 175-yard, three-touchdown game, but it was put under a spotlight when second-year WR Ronnie Bell dropped a key throw late in the loss.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked Monday on a conference call about Cowing’s absence. His answer didn’t provide much optimism that Cowing would be a factor any time soon.

“He’s still working to get out there,” Shanahan said. “He is trying to get more comfortable with the offense and just earn a role with it, gets closer and closer each week. Still got a bit to go though.”

He doubled down when asked for reasons why Cowing wasn’t getting offensive snaps.

“There’s lots of reasons that go into it, but he hasn’t been able to make his way into that group yet,” Shanahan said, “and the more he gets comfortable with the offense and the more consistent he gets then he’ll earn those opportunities.”

It makes sense that Cowing wouldn’t be ready to contribute offensively just yet. The rookie fourth-round pick missed most of training camp with a hamstring injury. He did produce in his two preseason contests, but having success in a preseason doesn’t necessarily mean a player is ready to suit up in a regular-season game.

On the other hand, Cowing showed enough electricity with the ball in his hands that the 49ers should consider devising ways to get him on the field in some capacity. It’s hard to imagine they’re eager to give Bell more opportunity after his pair of drops Sunday. Their injury situation leaves them short on options, but it doesn’t seem like Cowing will be part of the solution any time soon.

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49ers head coach won’t commit to using rookie WR despite injuries

After impressing in the preseason, the rookie wide receiver has yet to record a catch through two games.

Heading down to Southern California for the first time in the 2024 season, the San Francisco 49ers will be shorthanded when it comes to pass catchers.

With Christian McCaffrey already on the injured reserve, Deebo Samuel has been ruled out due to injury for Week 3 in Los Angeles. Along with McCaffrey and Samuel, the 49ers could also be missing tight end George Kittle due to a hamstring injury.

With multiple playmakers potentially sidelined, Kyle Shanahan and Brock Purdy will need a player to step up on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams.

Behind Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings, rookie Jacob Cowing is a candidate to see an increased role. On Friday, Shanahan was asked about Cowing during his press conference after practice in Santa Clara. The 49ers head coach didn’t reveal much when it came to Cowing’s potential role for Sunday.

Possibly. He’s got more opportunities with guys down. He’ll be in the rotation there. Possibly. He gets better and better each week. So, looking to see where he can fill in.

Watch Shanahan’s full presser from Friday via @49ers on Twitter. 

Cowing has yet to earn a target two weeks into his rookie campaign with the 49ers. The Arizona Wildcats product has served as the team’s primary punt returner in the opening games. However, Cowing did fumble a muffed punt during the 49ers’ loss to the Vikings in Week 2.

The fourth-round pick impressed in the preseason, recording seven catches for 90 yards and a touchdown. Cowing also picked up 19 yards on a single rush in the preseason.

The 49ers are set to meet the Rams on Sunday at 1:25 p.m. PT at SoFi Stadium.

This post originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

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49ers rookie won’t lose starting job after big mistake vs. Vikings

The 49ers won’t be removing one of their rookies from the starting lineup.

San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Jacob Cowing might have had his ‘welcome to the NFL’ moment during the team’s Week 2 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

Cowing, who won the starting punt returner job out of training camp, muffed a punt in the middle of the third quarter with the 49ers trailing 13-7. Cornerback Isaac Yiadom dove on the ball for the 49ers after a wild scramble, so the fumble by the rookie didn’t come off as a major gaffe.

While the muffed punt isn’t ideal, it wasn’t enough to move head coach Kyle Shanahan off the rookie returner. He told reporters ahead of Wednesday’s practice that the club still has confidence in Cowing.

“No, that’s one muffed punt,” Shanahan said. “Just when it comes to catching stuff, he’s been as natural of a catcher as we’ve had in our eight years here, just in practice, how he’s been in the games. I know that one got away from him, which we can’t have those. But everyone muffs one here and there. You just hope that was the end of it.”

Shanahan’s confidence in Cowing may wind up extending beyond special teams.

The fourth-round pick out of the University of Arizona could be a player the 49ers rely on to pick up some of the slack while wide receiver Deebo Samuel is out with a calf injury. Cowing has yet to make his debut on offense, but that may change with the team dealing with injuries to key contributors on that side of the ball.

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4 49ers rookies change jersey numbers after final cuts

Hot of the presses! New jersey numbers are out for 49ers rookies:

The San Francisco 49ers had a quartet of rookies change their jersey numbers once the dust settled from final cuts.

Cornerback Renardo Green, safety Malik Mustapha, wide receiver Jacob Cowing and running back Isaac Guerendo all made number changes ahead of the team’s Tuesday bonus practice according to the Athletic’s Matt Barrows.

Green, who rocked No. 31 during the preseason, changed his number to 0. That jersey was previously worn by CB Samuel Womack, who was waived at final cuts. The Indianapolis Colts claimed him off waivers.

That jersey number has only ever been worn by Womack in 49ers history. He began wearing it last season when the NFL changed its jersey number rules.

Mustapha wore No. 43 in the preseason, a traditional safety number. He will now wear No. 6 in the regular season. He joins Deommodore Lenoir and Charvarius Ward as players wearing single digits in the 49ers secondary. Safeties Talanoa Hufanga and Ji’Ayir Brown wear 29 and 27, respectively.

Cowing was another player who wore a traditional number for his position in camp. His preseason jersey number was 83. He’ll now wear No. 19, which was most recently worn by WR Deebo Samuel. Samuel changed to No. 1 this offseason.

During camp, veteran WR Trent Taylor rocked the No. 19 jersey. He was released and then re-signed to the practice squad. His new numbers is 81 since he didn’t retain his jersey number after camp because of his release.

Perhaps the most notable change is Guerendo, who wore No. 49 in the preseason. That is an objectively atrocious number for a running back. He’s now wearing No. 31 – still not great, but better than 49.

Green and RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn were both No. 31 in camp. Vaughn was waived and re-signed to the practice squad. Green, of course, relinquished 31 to take No. 0.

We may see plenty of these jerseys on the field in the season opener on Sept. 9. Green could be the team’s starting slot corner, while Guerendo and Cowing could both start as returners on special teams.

The rest of the rookie class will apparently retain their numbers. First-round pick Ricky Pearsall is No. 14, third-round pick Dominick Puni is No. 77, and seventh-round pick Tatum Bethune will stay with No. 48.

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49ers WR depth chart heading into Week 1 after Brandon Aiyuk contract extension

With Brandon Aiyuk’s new extension signed, what could the 49ers’ depth chart at wide receiver look like heading into Week 1?

The speculation can officially end. Brandon Aiyuk is set to become a member of the San Francisco 49ers for the next five seasons. According to multiple reports, the star pass catcher inked a long-awaited four-year contract extension worth $120 million.

While there was always the possibility of Aiyuk resigning, Aiyuk’s hold-in included a trade request and a flurry of rumors. With Aiyuk’s new contract in place, the 49ers will finally get a picture of what their receiver room will likely look like for the upcoming 2024 season.

Aiyuk will slide into one of the 49ers’ starting wide receiver positions alongside fellow star route runner Deebo Samuel. Jauan Jennings will be on the field in multiple positions, securing the No. 3 wideout spot.

Behind the trio of Aiyuk, Samuel and Jennings, the 49ers depth chart at wide receiver will feature new faces. 2024 first-round pick Ricky Pearsall and preseason standout Jacob Cowing will suit up behind Samuel, Aiyuk and Jennings for the 2024 campaign, with Ronnie Bell and veteran Chris Conley also available out of the wide receiver room.

Here’s a look at how the 49ers’ WR depth chart could look like with Aiyuk’s new extension.

  • Brandon Aiyuk – No. 11
  • Deebo Samuel – No. 19
  • Jauan Jennings – No. 15
  • Chris Conley – No. 84
  • Jacob Cowing (rookie) – No. 83
  • Ricky Pearsall (rookie) – No. 14
  • Ronnie Bell – No. 10

If Aiyuk is unable to suit up for week one against the New York Jets on Monday Night Football in just over a week, Jennings will likely see more of a role in the passing game alongside rookies Pearsall and Cowing. Conley  and Bell could also see an increase in reps at wide receiver.

This post originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

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49ers waive speedy third-round WR after two seasons

The former third round pick played 13 games over two seasons with the 49ers.

Prior to the NFL’s roster cutdown deadline, the San Francisco 49ers are making changes to their wide receiver room. Following Robbie Chosen Anderson and Jontre Kirklin on Monday, the 49ers reportedly waived another speedy pass catcher on Tuesday.

According to Matt Barrows of The Athletic, the 49ers have released former third-round pick Danny Gray after two seasons with the 49ers.

Via @mattbarrows on Twitter:

Quickly after being selected in the third round of the 2022 draft out of SMU, Gray broke onto the scene with a 76-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Trey Lance in the preseason. However, Gray struggled to get on the field in the regular season.

In two years, Gray played 13 games with the 49ers, recording only one catch for 10 yards. Gray added one rush for nine yards in his time with the 49ers.

With Gray, Chosen and Kirklin all released, the 49ers’ depth chart behind Deebo Samuel and Jauan Jennings features rookies Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing along with Ronnie Bell, Tay Martin, Trent Taylor and Chris Conley.

The 49ers will have until 1 p.m. PT on Tuesday to shave their roster down to the final 53 players.

This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

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Kyle Shanahan’s concerning answer on how 49ers would handle WR without Brandon Aiyuk

Kyle Shanahan’s glimpse at what the 49ers WR corps looks like without Brandon Aiyuk is …rough.

It looks like the San Francisco 49ers are making some progress in retaining All-Pro wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.

The two sides are near a deal according to multiple reports, with just one key factor holding up a long-term contract for Aiyuk in San Francisco. Given how this rollercoaster has gone, it’s impossible to rule out the negotiations bleeding into Week 1 of the regular season.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan was on KNBR Wednesday and addressed how the team would handle the WR corps if Aiyuk doesn’t suit up for the season opener. He indicated Jauan Jennings was the most likely option to be the No. 2 receiver alongside WR Deebo Samuel. The rest of his answer underscored why the team needs to make sure Aiyuk is in uniform Week 1.

“Chris Conley’s had a hell of a camp,” Shanahan said. “He came on strong for us last year. Did a hell of a job for last year and made a number of plays going into the playoffs, in the playoffs and in the Super Bowl. He’s been on a lot of teams, too, where he’s done it for awhile. Then we’ve got these rookies who are all pushing, that I know will be there eventually, but they’re a little behind the eight ball with their injuries. But they’re guys we believe in, guys who are made of the right stuff.”

He also mentioned players like Ronnie Bell and Danny Gray. Both players are battling for a job on the back end of the roster. He also mentioned other veterans the 49ers have brought in.

Let’s put this in a little different perspective. This is what the receiving corps looks like Week 1 without Aiyuk:

Deebo Samuel
Jauan Jennings
Chris Conley
Ricky Pearsall
Jacob Cowing
Ronnie Bell/Danny Gray/Robbie Chosen

Samuel is an elite playmaker and a bonafide star.

Jennings has been great as a No. 3, and he’s been able to step up as a No. 2 at times in his career.

Conley has been good with the 49ers. Relying on him to be WR3 is probably asking too much.

Pearsall won’t play at all in the preseason and missed a ton of practice time with hamstring and shoulder injuries. Cowing shined in his preseason debut, but he’s also still getting in the swing of the offense after missing a prolonged period with a hamstring injury.

That final trio is more likely to contribute on special teams than in the passing game. Gray didn’t play at all last year. Chosen and Bell combined for 10 catches in 26 games.

Shanahan is a good enough offensive coach with enough weapons to potentially cobble together enough to win any game. However, that receiving corps would make life much easier for what figures to be a terrific New York Jets defense. Just because the 49ers might be able to make it work doesn’t mean they should.

Their receiving corps, and their chances to win Week 1, look much better when it’s Aiyuk and Samuel atop the depth chart. The 49ers need to do everything they can to push the deal with Aiyuk over the finish line in time for the season opener on Monday Night Football.

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49ers rookie WR has monster performance in preseason debut

The 49ers rookie pass catcher impressed in his preseason debut on Sunday against the Saints.

While the San Francisco 49ers made headlines on draft night with the selection of Florida wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, another rookie pass catcher has quickly made an impact with an impressive performance in week two of the preseason.

Despite taking a pass catcher with their first pick in the 2024 draft, the 49ers double-dipped at wide receiver, selecting Pac-12 standout Jacob Cowing. In two seasons at Arizona, Cowing racked up over 1800 yards receiving and 20 touchdowns before landing with the 49ers in the fourth round of the 2024 draft.

While his first impression was stunted by a hamstring injury early in camp, Cowing answered the bell on Sunday in his preseason debut against the New Orleans Saints.

Cowing was at the center of the 49ers’ 16-10 win against the Saints, catching balls underneath and over the top of the defense along with taking the ball from the backfield as a rusher. Cowing led the 49ers with four receptions for 51 yards receiving, including a long 38-yard gain from Joshua Dobbs on a smooth route. Cowing picked up 19 yards on the ground with one rush on Sunday against the Saints.

Via @49ers on Twitter:

With a monster performance on Sunday, Cowing should catapult himself up the depth chart in front of players like Danny Grey, Ronnie Bell and Trent Taylor. Cowing will have one last preseason contest to secure his role on the 49ers on Friday, August 23 against the Las Vegas Raiders.

This post originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

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49ers trying to play catch-up with previously-injured rookie WR

One of the #49ers rookie WRs hasn’t gotten much practice time, so the team tried making up for it Monday.

Wide receiver Jacob Cowing’s first training camp hasn’t been ideal.

The rookie fourth-round pick suffered a hamstring injury before pads came on, and he didn’t return until just before the 49ers’ preseason opener against the Titans.

Cowing was always going to face an uphill climb to find snaps as a rookie, and missing a couple weeks to open camp doesn’t make that ascension any easier.

On Monday the 49ers tried playing some catchup with Cowing in an unpadded practice.

Since so many of the 49ers’ reserves played in their preseason opener on Saturday, the team used only its first-team offense in Monday’s practice per ESPN’s Nick Wagoner.

While Cowing isn’t expected to be a starter, he didn’t suit up for Saturday’s game making him available for the relatively light session. It appears the team was aiming to make up for lost time and get their rookie receiver some much-needed reps. Cowing was lining up often, and had a handful of plays designed for him per Wagoner:

Niners clearly tried to work Cowing, who has been out for awhile, into the offense with some opportunities. They moved him around a lot and attempted to get him the ball in space a couple of times. He did have a drop on a catchable pass from Purdy, however.

It isn’t a huge surprise to see Cowing get off to a slow start. He’s missed a ton of time and he’s still trying to acclimate to a new offense at the highest level of the sport.

The good news is Cowing wasn’t expected to have a major role in the offense just yet. He has the rest of the preseason to get ramped up, and then he’ll have chances during the year to continue growing into his role with an eye toward the next couple of seasons where he could see significant time in the 49ers’ offense.

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