Jauan Jennings faces a pivotal Week 1 decision for the 49ers as San Francisco weighs a crowded WR room and a calf injury that could land him on Injured Reserve. If Jennings misses four games, Ricky Pearsall steps into a larger role behind Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel, while Brock Purdy leans on George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey to carry the early aerial attack. Jennings’ guaranteed $3.27M in 2025 and a four-escala tor contract path complicate a negotiation that could hinge on practice squad or IR moves.

Jennings’ value is tied to his blocking and his third-down versatility, but SF’s offense thrives when Aiyuk and Samuel are healthy and Purdy has time. The piece argues the 49ers could press Jennings on his leverage, potentially risking roster space to preserve a route to a fuller WR corps as Aiyuk recovers. The outcome will shape SF’s early-season floor and Jennings’ fantasy upside this fall.