Kyle Shanahan has high hopes for former Ole Miss receiver

Despite an early 2-0 start to the season, the San Francisco 49ers are already having to embrace a next-man-up mentality.

With the wide receiver room decimated by injuries, head coach Kyle Shanahan appears excited to see former 2025 fourth-round pick, out of Ole Miss, Jordan Watkins make the most of his opportunity this weekend.

“I think he’s gotten a lot better in a lot of facets,” Shanahan said. “I think him not being up in these last couple of games has been more on because of special teams than a receiver deal. If it were just on receiver base and things like that, I think he would have got up Week 1.”

Watkins is expected to fill in for Demarcus Robinson, who Shanahan officially ruled out on Friday for Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals.

Last week, Robinson suffered an ankle injury in the second quarter and was ruled out for the rest of the game.

The loss of Robinson stings for San Francisco, as he proved in their first game of the season, he could be a weapon in Shanahan’s offense after logging two receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams.

Before his injury, he had three catches for 34 yards against the Dolphins.

Injuries have riddled the 49ers wide receiver room in the young season, as they are also without veteran Christian Kirk and third-year Ricky Pearsall, who is out for the season after having knee surgery.

Rookie wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling, who was selected in the first round out of Ole Miss, is currently on the team’s injured reserve after he exited their Week 1 opener against the Rams due to a deltoid ligament sprain.

Future Hall of Famer Mike Evans has also been a concern at the position, as he’s been dealing with a hip injury since Sunday.

With Watkins slated to fill in for Robinson at the slot position, they’re hoping the success he had in the preseason can carry over into the regular season.

Watkins took a step forward in his development this summer by hauling in 13 receptions for 164 yards and a touchdown.

Shanahan said he knows Watkins is ready for the opportunity to play this week, as he’s been asked by the second-year wideout about ways he can move up the depth chart.

“He’s been fighting to get up,” Shanahan said.

While Robinson will have an opportunity this weekend, it’s also his job to make sure he doesn’t lose it, as the team recently signed veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks to their roster as a safety blanket.

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