49ers rookie WR Jennings has chance at late-season return

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Coach Kyle Shanahan on Monday provided an update on the status of 49ers rookie receiver Jauan Jennings, who has been sidelined since October with a hamstring injury.

An enticing young talent, Jennings impressed the 49ers’ coaching staff early and was poised to make his NFL debut this season. However, the 23-year-old suffered a brutal hamstring injury on Oct. 24, and has resided on the Injured Reserve practice squad since. 

Shanahan shared just how severe Jennings’ injury was.

“He pulled his hamstring very bad,” Shanahan told reporters one day after the 49ers' deflating 23-15 loss to Washington. “The worst one on our team this year. He almost ripped it.”

It was a devastating injury for one of college football’s most premier players in 2019. Jennings led the nation in his senior year at the University of Tennessee with 29 broken tackles on 57 receptions. 

Still, Shanahan did offer some hope that the team’s 2020 seventh-round pick could possibly see action by the end of the season. 

RELATED: Deebo not expected to return during 2020 regular season

With the 49ers (5-8) all but mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, there could be some hesitation to push Jennings to return. However, the playing experience would be valuable and is something Shanahan believes could set Jennings apart from other rookie receivers. 

“I know he’s trying to get there,” Shanahan added. “Hopefully he’ll maybe get a week or two here at the end, but that’s just to get him a little more experience before we head into this offseason. This offseason will be big for Jauan.” 

After a season that has been decimated by injury, any positive update is a welcomed reprieve. With receiver Deebo Samuel now also likely out for the season with a hamstring injury, the 49ers will remain optimistic that Jennings will be healthy enough to return before the year is over. 

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