While the San Francisco 49ers are currently undefeated and tied for the NFC's top seed, there is an understandable level of anxiety throughout the fan base. Whether it is Mac Jones being thrown into the lineup due to a Brock Purdy injury or the walking wounded that is the current receiver depth chart, the 49ers simply can not catch a break.
It is tiring to see the nonstop injuries emerge for one of the league's more talented rosters. This week was no different, with Ricky Pearsall missing time due to a knee injury.
NFL Network's Clayton Holloway reported Kyle Shanahan's comment on the situation: "He can't go today, hopefully he can go later in the week." This obviously offers very little insight and doesn't help calm fans who are already understandably concerned about the position. Joining Pearsall on the injury report were receivers Jauan Jennings and Jordan Watkins.
This is on top of already having George Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk out for an extended period. To put it simply, the franchise is running out of options at the position.
Latest 49ers' Injury Report Continues to Expose Glaring Concerns at Receiver
Things have grown so bleak that it is fair to wonder if John Lynch might attempt a desperation move. Looking around the league, the Dolphins and Saints appear as likely targets. Both teams are winless on the season and have every reason to soon begin a fire sale in an attempt to enter a rebuild. Looking at both rosters, this opens the possibility that San Francisco could target Chris Olave, Jaylen Waddle, or Tyreek Hill.
However, even if this does become a future possibility, San Francisco must find a way to limp through another week with its current options. The road isn't getting any easier with the Jacksonville Jaguars traveling to take on the 49ers in Week 4. What would typically appear to be an incredibly winnable game is now very much in question based simply on the laundry list of injuries the franchise is now dealing with.
If Pearsall is going to miss time this week, the 49ers would be reduced to using Kendrick Bourne, Skyy Moore, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling as primary targets. While no offense is intended towards this trio, it is a far cry from the star-studded cast San Francisco fans are used to watching each week for the last handful of seasons.
With this in mind, the latest injury concerns should be the final straw for this front office. Moves must be made to give Jones or Purdy a chance as the 49ers continue to defy injury issues and find ways to win.