The San Francisco 49ers are trying to shake off what’s left of a disappointing 6-11 campaign in 2024 and the first step took place during the team’s minicamp this week. The past three days have been filled with the usual hyperbole as players get ready to earn their spot on the depth chart or on the roster altogether and it’s a great time for players on the bubble to establish their foundation for success – especially when they’re coming over from another team.
One 49ers addition thought he was walking into a golden opportunity when he signed this spring. But OTAs have proven the position is more crowded than he thought. With spots thin, the chance he thought he was getting may not be there and he could be on thin ice after minicamp comes to a close.
New 49ers Receiver Demarcus Robinson is Already on Thin Ice
The 49ers signed Demarcus Robinson this offseason as a way to add a veteran to the receiver room. The 30-year-old caught 31 passes for a career-high 505 yards and seven touchdowns last season with the Los Angeles Rams and figured to be a reliable target in a receiver room that is full of uncertainty.
Robinson’s two-year, $8 million contract suggests that something would have to go horribly wrong for him to lose his job, so you may be wondering why he’s on thin ice. But while he’s likely to be on the roster, he won’t be an early contributor as the NFL issued Robinson a three-game suspension for a DUI arrest last November.
This could put Robinson into an uncertain role when he returns from suspension. Aiyuk could be ready to return by the time the calendar turns to October and Watkins could be up to speed. While Pearsall is playing for a starting role, he’ll likely remain on the roster, leaving Robinson as the fifth man on the depth chart.
The best way for Robinson to prevent that from happening is a strong training camp. If he’s able to perform, the 49ers will not only be anxious for him to return but get him back into the lineup. If he can’t, he could be looking toward an uncertain future after this season.