It seemed a little too coincidental that, the same day Kendrick Bourne visited with the 49ers as a potential wide receiver signing, Jauan Jennings was back on the practice field following weeks on the sideline with a calf issue.
Jennings still does not have the contract he desires from the 49ers, but the signs suddenly appear good for him suiting up in Sunday’s Week 1 clash with the Seattle Seahawks.
And that is a significant boost for the 49ers’ hopes of vindicating their status as narrow favorites
in Seattle, as Jennings’ skill set gives them a chance to tilt a key matchup in their favor.
The 49ers’ receiving corps is not where the team would ideally want to be, with the absence of Brandon Aiyuk, injuries to Jacob Cowing and Jordan Watkins, and the suspension of Demarcus Robinson for three games depleting their options.
Ricky Pearsall, Jennings, Russell Gage and Skyy Moore are the healthy options on the 53-man roster, and it is likely that at least one of Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Robbie Chosen will be elevated from the practice squad. Valdes-Scantling likely has the edge because of his abilities as a deep threat.
That depleted group has a tough test against a talented Seattle secondary, but Jennings’ return could be decisive not just because of his impact in the passing game, but also because of his prowess as a blocker.
A pivotal power slot
Jennings brings versatility in that he can operate as a reliable outside receiver and as a ‘power slot’ at 6ft 3in and 212 pounds. That size will be extremely useful on snaps that see him kick inside to the slot, as his matchup could often be Seattle’s premier secondary defender, Devon Witherspoon.
Witherspoon has consistently played outside corner and in the slot. He will be the Seahawks’ starting nickel and, at 5ft 11in and 181 pounds, there is a distinct size differential there that Jennings will hope to capitalize on despite Witherspoon’s undoubted prowess at that position.
That disparity could also come into play on snaps where the 49ers run the ball out of 11 personnel.
No cornerback in the NFL had more solo tackles against the run than the 31 recorded by Witherspoon in 2025, according to Pro Football Focus, while his 14 tackles for loss over the course of two Pro Bowl seasons in the league illustrate his ability to create negative plays.
Yet if Jennings lines up in the slot on running plays, Witherspoon would regularly be faced with the challenge of going against the 49ers’ second-best skill position run blocker after George Kittle, one whose tendency to stay aggressively engaged through the whistle has often irritated opponents.
Witherspoon’s versatility is such that the Seahawks will frequently move him into the box, and the 49ers should expect to be presented with such looks on Sunday. Therefore it will not be a case of Jennings going up against him snap after snap in the run game.
Still, there will be opportunities for him to limit Witherspoon’s success in disrupting the 49er rushing attack. If Jennings can do that and immediately pick up where he left off in 2024 as versatile receiving weapon, the 49ers will be in a great spot to excel on offense in Week 1 and may have more motivation to offer him the improved contract he desires.
