One of the 49ers’ best stories is headed sideways. Will the 49ers’ season be next?
Jauan Jennings and the 49ers are one and the same — injured and fighting the odds even with a 4-2 record after a 30-19 road loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday.
Jennings probably surprised everyone by suiting up to face Tampa Bay. He is dealing with rib, ankle and shoulder injuries and has been leaking oil for weeks.
But all the desire in the world didn’t help as Jennings struggled to be some semblance of himself in the loss, with some of the frustration spilling over in a sideline interaction with coach Kyle Shanahan late in the first half.
With the 49ers facing a 20-16 deficit, Demarcus Robinson dropped a pass in front of Shanahan. Then, as Robinson came up with an atoning 31-yard catch, Shanahan went down the sideline to confront Jennings. The two went back and forth for an instant before the sideline staff intervened, including a member of the club’s security detail.
In the end, Jennings was targeted only three times in a game where Mac Jones passed 39 times, completing 27 for 347 yards. He had more penalties (two) than receptions (one). To start the second half, Jennings immediately committed a false start.
Shanahan brushed off the sideline spat.
“Just an intense, competitive conversation between two people at the end of the second quarter, but we’re good,” Shanahan said at the postgame podium.
Jennings said even less.
“Oh, man, you’ll have to ask him,” Jennings told reporters after the game.
A second query brought the same response.
A lot of this is justifiable frustration from Jennings, who stepped up with a career year last season with 77 receptions for 975 yards and six touchdowns, expanding his role from “third-and-Jauan” to No. 1 receiver with Brandon Aiyuk out with a torn ACL.
A contract adjustment came late in the game and Jennings, battling a calf issue, missed a lot of training camp practices. He’s had only two full practices since the regular season began. Jennings’ contract will expire after the season, and his value will be diminished considerably in free agency if it continues down this road in what could be his last grab at a mega deal at age 28.
“He had a bad ankle, some issues to his ribs. Hasn’t had some full-speed practices,” Shanahan said of Jennings’ injuries. “I was pumped that he was able to go. But now he’s struggling to go every week now.”
Jennings made it sound as if there is more going on than what Shanahan suggested, which isn’t unusual. Coaches don’t go out of their way to make targets of their injured player to defenders.
“Playing with injuries is something that’s part of it, you know?” Jennings said. “You’re going to have your ankle sprains. Your shoulder is 20 percent. You’ve got five broken ribs. It is what it is. You keep playing. Nobody cares. Keep playing. We do what we do.”
Five broken ribs?
“Yeah, I’ve got five broken ribs,” Jennings said. “It’s football. I love pain. I wouldn’t be playing this sport if I didn’t. You’ve got to enjoy every little thing that comes with it. Pain is one of those.”
Which is one way to look at it. The question is, as banged up as Jennings is, whether he can be salvaged. His condition compromises his warrior mentality and his free-agent market will suffer.
Jennings has already missed three of six games. Ricky Pearsall Jr. (knee) may be back next week against Atlanta. The 49ers are hopeful a return by Aiyuk looms in the future. Kendrick Bourne had some route errors but has 15 receptions for 284 yards in the last two games.
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For his part, Jennings promises to do his part. Fred Warner’s dislocated ankle, Jennings said, left him in need of nausea medicine.
“Just made me sick,” Jennings said. “We’ve still got to drive the boat, captains have got to lead the way. Everybody else has to step up.”
And there’s little chance Jennings will lose the support of his teammates.
“He didn’t have to play in this game and he chose to,” Jones said. “He fought through some stuff, and he’s a fighter and that’s the DNA of our team — his personality. Really love him. He did a good job. We missed on a few things but it wasn’t our day and hopefully we have a lot of good days ahead.”