San Francisco 49ers, Kyle Shanahan, NFL
49ers’ Jordan Watkins Set for Bigger Opportunity as Kyle Shanahan Explains His Early Absence 1
The San Francisco 49ers are 2-0, however, their wide receiver room is getting thinner by the week. Injuries have already changed the mix, forcing the 49ers to lean harder on players who weren’t expected to carry major roles this early. That has also created a different look at the depth chart, with several young receivers now sitting closer to meaningful opportunities.
One of those players is Jordan Watkins. The former Ole Miss standout has spent the opening weeks waiting for his chance; however, the situation around him has changed quickly, with another receiver now unavailable. Head coach Kyle Shanahan has offered some insight into why Watkins has been waiting and what could come next.
Kyle Shanahan Opens Door for Jordan Watkins With San Francisco 49ers
Kyle ShanahanKyle Shanahan
Jan 11, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan against the Philadelphia Eagles in an NFC Wild Card Round game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
On September 26, Shanahan said Watkins is now in line for an opportunity after spending the first two games inactive. Shanahan made it clear that Watkins’s absence was not solely due to his work as a receiver.
“He’s gonna have an opportunity now….I think he’s gotten a lot better in a lot of facets. You know I think him not being up in these last couple games has been more on because of special teams than a receiver deal. If it were just on receiver base and things like that I think he would have got up Week 1.”
Kyle Shanahan on Jordan Watkins:
“He’s gonna have an opportunity now….I think he’s gotten a lot better in a lot of facets. You know I think him not being up in these last couple games has been more on because of special teams than a receiver deal. If it were just on receiver… pic.twitter.com/TXxNshb7JL
— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) September 25, 2026
That distinction matters. Watkins was not necessarily being held back because the Niners disliked what he was doing at wide receiver. Shanahan pointed instead to the special-teams side of the roster decision, suggesting Watkins could have been active earlier if the decision had been based strictly on his development as a pass catcher.
Demarcus Robinson has been ruled out after suffering an ankle injury against the Miami Dolphins last week. He had already shown some value in Shanahan’s offense, opening the season with two catches for 50 yards and a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams before adding three receptions for 34 yards against the Dolphins.
Robinson’s absence gives Watkins a path onto the active roster and potentially into the offensive rotation. That opportunity comes at a time when the 49ers’ receiver depth has already taken several hits. Ricky Pearsall is out for the season after knee surgery, while De’Zhaun Stribling is on injured reserve.
Watkins has also given the coaching staff something to work with. During the preseason, he caught 13 passes for 164 yards and a touchdown, showing enough progress to remain in the conversation despite his limited early-season role.
That fight could finally turn into snaps. The 49ers recently added veteran Brandin Cooks as another option, so Watkins still has competition around him; however, with Robinson unavailable and injuries reshaping the room, the former Ole Miss receiver now has the opening he has been waiting for.