“Investigate this team” - NFL fans react as Kyle Shanahan’s 49ers suffer major blow with Jordan Watkins’ injury

The San Francisco 49ers suffered another major blow this week, leaving them even more shorthanded on offense. Jordan Watkins suffered a high ankle sprain and will be out of the lineup for at least a month.

The team’s fourth-round selection out of Ole Miss featured in their preseason opener against the Denver Broncos on Saturday, leading the Niners with three catches for 56 yards.

Watkins is one of many key players missing, with Brandon Aiyuk recovering from an ACL injury, Jauan Jennings dealing with a calf strain, and Demarcus Robinson expected to be suspended for a few games over a DUI charge.

Fans are far from impressed with the 49ers' situation, with some wondering if ESPN should do a 30 for 30 feature about it. George Kittle will likely be the go-to receiver for Brock Purdy when the regular season begins.

“Investigate the team. I'm so serious,” one fan tweeted.

Drilla

@Kevybo_

Investigate the team. Im so serious

B1gDaddyMarv

@B1gDaddyMarv

We need a 30 for 30 on the injuries this team incurs on a yearly basis. It's insane.

DylPicks

@DylPicksGreens

George KITTLE about to have another career year

Eric

@Cire0o

At this rate Kittle might end up a 1st rnd pick in most fantasy leagues

BigDog

@big_dog_meta

Good thing their receiver room is deep

All Goats FF 🏈

@AllGoatsFF

Pearsall gonna catch 300 balls this season

There are 10 wide receivers listed on the 49ers roster according to their official website, though several aren’t 100%. Ricky Pearsall is one of those not on the injured list, and given how many pass catchers are dealing with injuries, the team’s first-round pick in 2024 could see his number called plenty of times.

The regular season for San Francisco begins on Sept. 7 when it faces the Seattle Seahawks.

Brocky Purdy’s weapons may be back by Week 6

The loss of so many big names could make life a lot harder for quarterback Brock Purdy, who will depend heavily on George Kittle in the passing game and Christian McCaffrey out of the backfield.

Reports indicate one of his top wide receivers, Aiyuk, is on track to return in Week 6, which would be around the time that Watkins is expected to be 100%. If they can hold down the fort and win a few games before they face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 6, Kyle Shanahan’s offense should be vastly improved.

Aiyuk has two 1,000+ yard receiving seasons in his last three campaigns, Robinson is a former Super Bowl champion with the Kansas City Chiefs, and Watkins showed against Denver that he can be a big-play receiver.

In the meantime, there will be another opportunity for someone to step up on Saturday when the 49ers face the Las Vegas Raiders in their second preseason affair of 2025.