After recently returned San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne’s brutal performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 4, it seemed like he was in danger of falling down the depth chart or even being cut once other receivers got healthy.
However, after a resurgent performance against the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night, he is back in good graces for San Francisco.
Bourne hauled in 10 catches on 11 targets for 142 yards in the Week 5 showdown, and it was nothing short of an epic performance.
Plus, Bourne was clearly quarterback Mac Jones’ favorite wide receiver target.
This should not come as a huge surprise, given that Jones and Bourne were teammates together with the New England Patriots.
Bourne had his best season as a pro back in 2021, which perhaps not so coincidentally, was Jones’ rookie season in the NFL. Bourne had 55 receptions for 800 yards and five touchdowns that year.
It is clear the chemistry the two established in New England has carried over to San Francisco. In the games Bourne has played in with Jones as quarterback, the veteran pass catcher has looked solid and comfortable. However, his one game with Brock Purdy at quarterback was his worst game of the year as he had one catch for 17 yards and three drops.
This is not to say Purdy is to blame for Bourne having a bad game, but it stands to reason that Bourne is more comfortable out there when Jones is under center, which is why he has a vested interest in Jones remaining the starter.
We do not know the status of Purdy’s toe, and most reports suggest it's a week-to-week injury. But with the way Jones has been playing, it is safe to assume the Niners will not rush Purdy back this time. They likely rushed Purdy back for the game against Jacksonville, and they paid the price as he was clearly hampered by the injury and reaggravated it.
Bourne may not say it out loud, but he has to be hoping that Jones remains the starting quarterback as long as possible because we have seen how good he has been with Jones as the guy throwing to him.