Rookie wide receiver Jacob Cowing’s absence from a third consecutive game raised some eyebrows after the San Francisco 49ers’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Cowing figured to be a player who saw a bigger role with veteran WR Deebo Samuel sidelined by a calf injury. His absence wasn’t much of a story as WR Jauan Jennings put up an 11-catch, 175-yard, three-touchdown game, but it was put under a spotlight when second-year WR Ronnie Bell dropped a key throw late in the loss.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked Monday on a conference call about Cowing’s absence. His answer didn’t provide much optimism that Cowing would be a factor any time soon.
“He’s still working to get out there,” Shanahan said. “He is trying to get more comfortable with the offense and just earn a role with it, gets closer and closer each week. Still got a bit to go though.”
He doubled down when asked for reasons why Cowing wasn’t getting offensive snaps.
“There’s lots of reasons that go into it, but he hasn’t been able to make his way into that group yet,” Shanahan said, “and the more he gets comfortable with the offense and the more consistent he gets then he’ll earn those opportunities.”
It makes sense that Cowing wouldn’t be ready to contribute offensively just yet. The rookie fourth-round pick missed most of training camp with a hamstring injury. He did produce in his two preseason contests, but having success in a preseason doesn’t necessarily mean a player is ready to suit up in a regular-season game.
On the other hand, Cowing showed enough electricity with the ball in his hands that the 49ers should consider devising ways to get him on the field in some capacity. It’s hard to imagine they’re eager to give Bell more opportunity after his pair of drops Sunday. Their injury situation leaves them short on options, but it doesn’t seem like Cowing will be part of the solution any time soon.
