Demarcus Robinson was recently mentioned as a candidate to be moved to injured reserve. The veteran wideout will indeed be unavailable for the time being.
Robinson has been placed on IR, the 49ers announced on Saturday. An absence for at least four games is now in store as a result. Robinson is dealing with an ankle injury, and losing him for a stretch will deal a blow to a San Francisco WR unit which has been hit hard by injuries already in 2026. Ricky Pearsall underwent season-ending knee surgery in August, while rookie De’Zhaun Stribling is also on injured reserve.
Christian Kirk, meanwhile, has yet to make his season debut. He was moved to IR-designated for return during roster cuts, leaving him unavailable until at least Week 5. Free agent Brandin Cookssigned with San Francisco earlier this week, and he will offer experienced depth at the receiver position. The 49ers will hope to get Robinson, who played a parti-time role with them last year, back in the fold relatively soon.
In the meantime, one or more additions along the edge may be forthcoming. San Francisco’s defensive front has been ravaged by injuries in recent weeks, and Nick Bosa is now dealing with a calf ailment. As expected, Bosa will not land on injured reserve. Nevertheless, his absence will add to the 49ers’ issues in the pass rush department. Free agent options are being explored.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes that Matt Judon, Jamin Davis, Julian Okwara and Dawuane Smoot have each conducted a workout with San Francisco. Those veterans could contribute as depth options on at least a short-term basis before Bosa and Mykel Williams return to the fold. With over $43MM in cap space, the 49ers could certainly afford to sign one or more members of that quartet. Judon, Davis and Smoot each played as recently as last year, but Okwara’s last regular-season action came in 2024.
The 49ers signed defensive lineman Viliami Fehoko Jr. from the practice squad to the active roster in a corresponding move to Robinson’s IR placement. The team’s Week 3 options along the defensive interior could also include Kevin Givens and Sebastian Valdez, since they have been designated as gameday elevations.