While it seems unlikely that wide receiver Brandin Cooks will move from the practice squad to the active roster ahead of Sunday's game between the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals, head coach Kyle Shanahan offered a positive update on the veteran's progress.
After injuries thinned the 49ers' wide receiver depth, Cooks signed to the practice squad to give him time to learn Shanahan's offense. After three practices, Shanahan was asked Friday how that process is going.
"He's picked it up great, had a great week," Shanahan said. "He's a pro. He's been around the offense to a degree. I mean, there's still words that are different and stuff, but you can tell he's got an understanding and picks it up as fast as anyone could."
An opportunity for Jordan Watkins
The injuries at wide receiver, including Ricky Pearsall, Christian Kirk, De'Zhaun Stribling, and Demarcus Robinson, will force some of the 49ers' younger players to step up and contribute more.
Shanahan sees it as an opportunity for players like Jordan Watkins, a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
"He's going to have an opportunity now," Shanahan said. "I think he's gotten a lot better in a lot of facets. I think him not being up these last couple of games has been more because of special teams than a receiver deal.
"But now, if it was just receiver-based and things like that, I think he would have gotten up Week 1. But you've got to balance all that stuff out, and he's been fighting to get up.
"I remember him talking to me about it last week—ways he could get up, and we got an injury to D-Rob, which gives him an opportunity, and it's an opportunity I think he's ready for."
More info on: Brandin Cooks, Christian Kirk, Ricky Pearsall, Demarcus Robinson, De'Zhaun Stribling, Jordan Watkins
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