When a player injures himself, the least he expects from his franchise is providing medical assistance at the earliest. But that’s not how the San Francisco 49ers work.

Jauan Jennings found himself in a similar situation when he left the game in the second half.  

The Niners’ perfect streak got ruined against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 4. But there was something else that made headlines. Remember the opening drive of the third quarter? Jennings caught the ball in the end zone as the team completed a two-point conversion.

However, when he went to S.F.’s medical test, he was told to wait. ‘Cause apparently, Ricky Pearsall was also hurt in the game, so the professionals were occupied with him. Jennings, who came into the game already nursing an injury, was crushed by two opposing defenders and had to lie on his back in pain as he waited. 

The injury plague hit the 49ers in 2024, yet the antedote is nowhere in the picture. George Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk are yet to return, and Week 3 cost them star defensive end Nick Bosa—whose replacement has yet to be found. Pearsall injured his knee while making a catch on the sideline in the third quarter, which was the reason Jennings had to wait for his chance to get evaluated. But you know, this wasn’t the first time. 

This same situation happened in Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks, involving Jennings. When he first injured his shoulder and knee, he was seen waiting outside the medical tent for his chance, like a bathroom queue. 

Though he returned to the game afterwards, his sideline moment had gotten everyone talking. However, Pearsall suffered a different fate. Not only did he not return to the Week 4 game, but he’s also marked questionable for Week 5. This means, once again, the 49ers will rely upon Kendrick Bourne to fill in, besides Jennings and Demarcus Robinson.

Will Jauan Jennings play in Week 5?

The Niners are set up against the LA Rams in Week 5, both standing at 3-1. When Jennings got injured in Week 1, there were many questions about his availability in Week 2. He actually played against the Saints, posting 5-of-10 targets for 89 yards and a touchdown. But he was marked inactive for Week 3. 

So obviously, the bigger question at the moment is Jennings’ status for Week 5. Not only does he need proper recovery from his shoulder and ankle injuries, but also his knee injury (sustained in Week 4). However, when the wide receiver was asked whether his status for next week would be questionable, he replied in just one word: “Nah.” 

That sure brings some reassurance to his fans. Ahead of Week 4, head coach Kyle Shanahan also addressed Jennings’ injury. However, he didn’t feel very confident about the WR’s status in the long run. “Hopefully, he can this week. He will be similar to last week. He was close to getting in, but never was able to make it, and it’ll be the same this week,” he told the reporters. 

Now, if Jennings were declared out, the 49ers would literally have a crisis. Demarcus Robinson returned after a three-game suspension in Week 4, but since he hadn’t practiced with the team all this time, he managed only two catches for 37 yards. With Pearsall also questionable, the burden to fill in all the missing shoes falls on Bourne. Still, it wouldn’t be enough if the team wants to recreate a season like 2023 with the Super Bowl trophy.