SANTA CLARA – Brock Purdy’s next trip to the archery range will see a lot of unfamiliar hay bales to target, so to speak. The 49ers’ wide receiver unit is a few arrows short of a full quiver.
That is not all.
Tight end George Kittle is battling a foot sprain, running back Christian McCaffrey remains weeks away from a potential debut, and any receiver who might come before the trade deadline likely won’t be in uniform before Sunday’s game, when the 49ers (3-4) host the Dallas Cowboys (3-3).
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones offered no sympathy.
“Not having really outstanding players is absolutely a part of the NFL . That’s part of having a team,” Jones said Tuesday on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas. “…You have to have the depth. You have to the readiness to overcome those injuries, or at least be competitive to be satisfied in the mirror or for our fans
“I really don’t think San Francisco should be looked at for what they don’t have.”
To better grasp who might be in Purdy’s crosshairs, here is a player-by-player outlook:
DEEBO SAMUEL
Once the 49ers confirmed Brandon Aiyuk’s season-ending knee injury, Samuel posted an Instagram story with Aiyuk’s picture and an endearing message: “Know I’m gone lay it all on the line for you brother!!!This one hurt(s).”
Aiyuk’s absence creates a void in which Samuel can reestablish himself as a No. 1 wide receiver – if healthy. However, Samuel was hospitalized with pneumonia once the 49ers’ medical staff determined he had fluid in his lungs, following his four-snap cameo in the 49ers’ 28-18 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Pneumonia is a serious ailment, in case you haven’t seen 49ers legend Joe Montana serve as a pitchman in recent years for a pneumococcal pneumonia vaccination. Coach Kyle Shanahan said of Samuel’s status: “We’ll see how he recovers here over these next couple days.”
JAUAN JENNINGS
A hip injury kept Jennings out of last week’s practices and the Chiefs’ game, so Shanahan is unsure if a return is possible this week, ahead of next week’s bye. Jennings’ injury traced to the Oct. 10 win in Seattle, and he was seen walking in the locker room last week, so there should be hope it’s a short-term issue. His 404 yards lead the 49ers, stemming largely from his 11-catch, 175-yard, three-touchdown bonanza in a Week 3 loss at the Los Angeles Rams.
RICKY PEARSALL
Not many 49ers receivers, if any, drew a standing ovation for their first career catch, but Pearsall earned and received that greeting Sunday on his 6-yard, second-quarter grab.
The 49ers will need many more cheers and receptions from their sure-handed, quick-footed rookie who finished with three catches (21 yards) and didn’t create much coverage separation (1.9-yard average, tied for the NFL’s seventh-fewest in Week 7).
Drafted No. 31 overall, Pearsall figured to provide depth his rookie season. After miraculously surviving an Aug. 31 shooting in a San Francisco robbery attempt, Pearsall was to be eased into action. He fared so well in his practice return last week, he debuted Sunday and ended up playing 48-of-63 snaps to help cover for Samuel and Aiyuk. His workload could stay heavy with neither Samuel nor Jennings at full health.
CHRIS CONLEY
This 10th-year veteran practiced extensively in Aiyuk’s split-end spot through the offseason and training camp. He made some key catches late last season, but he has only a 4-yard catch among five targets this year in 113 snaps (28%). With 221 catches in 123 career games, that experience looks invaluable now.
JACOB COWING
This rookie speedster made his first two career catches Sunday, both of which teased at scoring chances, especially a 41-yard completion that Purdy underthrew to the 10-yard line. He’s yet to debut as a rusher, so a jet-sweep surprise could be coming for the Cowboys.
RONNIE BELL
His only two catches came in losses to the Rams and the Chiefs, games in which he was more known for a major drop (at Los Angeles) and being the target of Purdy’s second interception Sunday. As a rookie, 3-of-6 catches went for touchdowns, but a lot of dropped passes have cast doubt over his capabilities.
TRENT TAYLOR
Of his 87 career catches, 79 came in his initial 49ers tenure (2017-20). While he flashed encouraging form as a slot receiver through the offseason, Taylor’s experience as a punt returner served as insurance if Cowing struggled as a rookie. He should be elevated from the practice squad again or added to the 53-man roster; he drew no targets in two offensive snaps upon his Week 5 callup against Arizona.
TERIQUE OWENS
Three weeks ago, Owens – the son of 49ers’ Hall of Famer Terrell Owens – was signed to the practice squad, where he’s still developing and learning Shanahan’s scheme, so he’s not ready for a big-time promotion. A fractured finger in training camp led to him being waived two months ago; he was signed in May after going undrafted and trying out with local prospects.
GEORGE KITTLE
The most prolific tight end in 49ers history leads the team with five touchdown catches and 34 receptions. He’s also appeared on this season’s injury report with the most ailments: hamstring (Weeks 3-4), ribs (Weeks 5-6), and, now, a foot sprain has him “day to day,” per Shanahan.
CHRISTIAN McCAFFREY
No injury has impacted the 49ers more than McCaffrey’s Achilles tendinitis (in both legs). He went on injured reserve after skipping the season opener, and Shanahan said McCaffrey’s progress gives him “a much better chance” of debuting “right after the bye,” presumably for a Nov. 10 date in Tampa.
JORDAN MASON
Ah, almost forgot about him as a receiving option? Looks like Purdy often has, too. Mason did make 4- and 7-yard catches in Chiefs’ territory Sunday. He’s caught 10-of-12 targets for 86 yards and no scores this season; McCaffrey caught 26-of-30 targets for 228 yards and three touchdowns through seven starts in 2023.
TRADE MARKET
Find a one- or two-win team and you may find a wide receiver worth acquiring, such as: New England’s Kendrick Bourne (a 49er from 2017-20); Carolina’s Diontae Johnson and Adam Thielen; Jacksonville’s Christian Kirk; Tennessee’s DeAndre Hopkins; and, New York Giants’ Darius Slayton. Hopkins is the recommended choice of former 49ers safety Donte Whitner, as he said on NBC Sports Bay Area.
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The Rams, according to The Athletic, are shopping former Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp, and as unlikely as it is they’d deal him to their division rival, Kupp could fill the need of another receiver-needy team and thus help the 49ers’ market. Others who’ve lost starting receivers this season: Tampa Bay (Chris Godwin) and Kansas City (Rashee Rice). The trade deadline is Nov. 5.