The 3-0 San Francisco 49ers have a whopping 15 players on their week four injury report, including their top two wide receivers Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings. The Niners got some good news at the WR position this week however, as veteran Demarcus Robinson has been activated for week four after serving a three-game suspension.
Robinson was suspended three games for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy after he was arrested in November of 2024 for a DUI arrest. San Francisco signed him back in March, and now with the amount of injuries facing the team, the signing could pay off in Robinson’s first game back.
“Just good to get him back in practice this week, having a month off, guys are always rusty coming back in,” 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Friday. “He’s done a good job staying in shape, but getting back into football stuff, getting in and out of the huddle; Friday compared to Wednesday I thought he came a long way. Excited to get him back out there Sunday and give him a part on our team and get this started with him.”
Robinson Set To Play a Big Role Immediately
Pearsall (knee) and Jennings (ankle, shoulder) are both questionable for Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, though both were elevated to active for practice on Friday, Sept. 26 in limited participation roles.
Even if one or both of them are able to suit up on Sunday, you won’t be seeing the fully healthy versions of Pearsall and Jennings. This makes Robinson’s activation crucial as he could play a huge role on the outside along with Kendrick Bourne and Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
The 31-year-old has played nine full seasons in the NFL with a remarkable bill of health, missing just one game in his entire career, which came back in 2023. He spent his first six seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs before spending one year with the Baltimore Ravens and the last two with the Los Angeles Rams.
Robinson has been a reliable depth piece for his entire career, eclipsing 500 receiving yards for the first time last season with LA. Excluding his first NFL season where he didn’t get any game action, Robinson has never had less than 20 catches and 200 yards.
He’s not going to be a game-breaker, but in a 49ers offense that is injury riddled, he could be exactly what they need this week and moving forward.
Brock Purdy Set To Return For Week Four
After missing two weeks with a mild turf toe injury, Brock Purdy was elevated to full participant during San Francisco’s Friday practice. Purdy injured himself in week one against Seattle as backup QB Mac Jones filled in during Purdy’s absence, leading the 49ers to two wins.
If there’s any quarterback in the NFL comfortable with throwing to a smorgasbord of depth receivers, it’s Brock Purdy. The guy has made a career out of it.
His re-insertion into the 49ers offense will be a welcome addition, as Jones did a commendable job, but was clearly not at the level of Purdy during his two games.
San Francisco will take on Jacksonville in the four o’clock window on Sunday.