49ers' young wide receivers ‘spinning' with new information in NFL training camp

SANTA CLARA — Being a rookie wide receiver in the 49ers’ offense is a tall task, and while there are a few who have stood out, coach Kyle Shanahan knows there is a significant amount of work yet to be done&period;“They’re spinning right now,” Shanahan said on Sunday after the 49ers completed their fourth practice of training camp&period; “Once you think you’ve got it, it gets a lot worse the next day&period;”With Brandon Aiyuk’s timeline to return uncertain, Demarcus Robinson facing up to a three-game suspension and Jauan Jennings leaving practice early due to a calf injury, there will be opportunities for younger players to see the field&period; How well they perform in the next few weeks will show who has been doing their homework&period; “Today was our first call-it period, which means it wasn’t scripted, so they have no idea what’s coming,” Shanahan explained&period; “I think that showed a little bit of rust&period; I think they’re in their playbooks, but they definitely can’t be content with it&period; They’ve got to get into more, they’ve got to get more of these reps, and we’ve got to keep challenging them&period;”Shanahan also does not put too much value in the reps players have until the pads go on, on Monday&period; Isaiah Neyor had the most eye-popping catch of camp thus far — a 50-yard bomb from Mac Jones, but Shanahan will reserve judgment for a while&period;“I think he’s done a good job,” Shanahan said of the rookie&period; “I mean, all those guys are getting a lot of reps, and we’ve got a lot of young guys getting opportunities&period; He got a lot of opportunities in OTAs&period; We’ve been moving him around&period; He made a big play a couple days ago, and he’s just competing like the rest of the group out there right now&period;”Ricky Pearsall also should be heavily featured in the rotation, having returned to practice after suffering a hamstring injury during the offseason&period; On Sunday, the second-year receiver was on the field for eight offensive reps, targeted four times for three completions&period; His draft classmate Jacob Cowing, who was having a standout offseason, has been sidelined with a hamstring injury and is expected to return for joint practices with the Las Vegas Raiders during the week of Aug&period; 16&period;Another rookie who has been getting a fair amount of reps is Jordan Watkins&period; The Mississippi product has made some splash receptions but also had a few drops and missed assignments, all of which are expected of rookies&period;“I thought in these four practices he’s done a good job,” Shanahan said of Watkins&period; “But like I was saying earlier, we’ve got to get pads on, see how they really hit it&period; You’ve got to try to make this team first and foremost&period; And I think that’s tough at each position&period; And then you want to try to get on the field&period;”Junior Bergen is the third rookie of the group, who is trying to make the most of every rep&period; Second-year players like Terique Owens and Malik Knowles also are battling with the veterans that the 49ers signed to the group, including Equanimeous St&period; Brown, Russell Gage Jr&period;, Quintez Cephus and Isaiah Hodgins&period;“You’ve got to find a way to fit in our scheme and what we like,” Shanahan said&period; “And if we brought you here, it means we like you&period; And now it’s using that skillset with how it fits in our offense, and there’s a very fine line with that and takes time to do&period;”Download and follow the 49ers Talk Podcast

49ers’ young wide receivers ‘spinning’ with new information in NFL training camp

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