Second-year San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jordan Watkins has just three catches this season, including one on his only target Monday night against the Washington Commanders, despite playing 47 offensive snaps. He caught his other two passes in Week 3 against the Arizona Cardinals.
However, Watkins has made the most of his limited opportunities, turning those three catches into 82 receiving yards and showing his playmaking ability.
So, why isn't he more involved?
His role could expand if starting wide receiver Mike Evans can't play this weekend against the Atlanta Falcons. Evans has been dealing with Achilles tendinitis and a rib injury, with the Achilles issue forcing him out of Monday night's game in the second quarter.
With the 49ers' wide receiver depth dwindling, Watkins has an opportunity to establish himself. San Francisco is already without Deebo Samuel, Demarcus Robinson, De'Zhaun Stribling, and Ricky Pearsall, while Christian Kirk could return against the Falcons.
Offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak spoke to reporters after Thursday's practice and was asked what Watkins needs to do to earn more targets.
"It's nothing to do with him," Kubiak said. "He's doing a heck of a job, and Jordan's playing the right way down in and down out. We've been really happy with him. Sometimes it's just circumstances and where the ball goes. There were things in the game we were trying to get to him, and the ball ended up going the other way, so it's not really amount of targets.
"He's doing everything right, and the ball is going to find him because he's playing the right way. Jordan's just got to keep going, and the ball's going to go where it goes, just like every down. The way Jordan's approaching every play and playing the right way and doing his assignment the right way, fortunate things are going to keep happening for him, so just keep him going."
Quarterback Brock Purdy also addressed Watkins' limited involvement when he spoke to reporters Thursday. Purdy emphasized that the lack of targets doesn't reflect the young receiver's performance.
"Honestly, it has nothing to do with not trying to get him the ball or anything," Purdy explained. "I think that's just sort of how the game's gone. He's definitely a playmaker. He's done that since he's got here. And it's just been tough with him getting opportunities when we have like Mike Evans, Demarcus Robinson, [TE] George [Kittle], [RB] Christian [McCaffrey], other guys too, and he's trying to get in that mix.
"But he's been consistent. He's been a guy that has stayed faithful to this whole process. And now he's getting a shot and opportunity. So, I feel like we will, over time. Hopefully, this game too, I can get him the ball. Watching the film, that's definitely a guy that I'm like, 'Yeah, I'd love to get the ball to him.' He's shown flashes and glimpses of not even just catching the ball, but making plays after the catch too or getting YAC after the catch.
"So, I feel you on that, and that's something that I watch, and I want to have our connection get better and better, but it has nothing to do with not trying to give him the ball or anything like that."
Kubiak reiterated that Watkins is doing what the coaching staff expects and keeps improving.
"He's doing a great job. He's practicing really well too," Kubiak said. "He's gotten better as a player. That's what we've asked him to do, is keep working, keep pushing himself. He's grown a lot as he's stepped up more and been more involved in our offense, and I expect that to continue to happen.
"Jordan's doing everything right and, like I said, when guys approach things that way, good things tend to happen, so we're just going to keep going with him."
More info on: Mike Evans, Christian Kirk, George Kittle, Christian McCaffrey, Ricky Pearsall, Brock Purdy, Demarcus Robinson, Deebo Samuel, De'Zhaun Stribling, Jordan Watkins
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