Head coach Jim Harbaugh was not thrilled with the receiving group the San Francisco 49ers had last season. Despite having Vernon Davis, Anquan Boldin and Michael Crabtree on the roster, Harbaugh wanted more options for quarterback Colin Kaepernick. The result was a draft day trade with the Buffalo Bills acquiring Stevie Johnson who had fallen out of favor with the franchise. However, so far things are not going as planned and Johnson not risks getting released.

Johnson has yet to do much of anything in the preseason so far. In three games, he has caught two passes for 11 yards. Considering he was supposed to be a big target for Kaepernick this upcoming season, those numbers are an extreme disappointment. According to the quarterback, the two are struggling to get chemistry on the field and it is hurting Johnson's status with the team.

"There are times that he's going to make a move on a DB, and you have to be ready because he's also making a move that you have to see," Kaepernick said, via the Sacramento Bee. "So I think that's something where it took a little bit longer just to get used to his body language because he had some unorthodox things that he does. But ultimately his separation is there, he's getting open."

Johnson needs to start standing out and fast. According to team sources, the 49ers are high on rookie Bruce Ellington while Quinton Patton is also working to stand out as well. Pair those two with Crabtree and Boldin and Johnson may not make the cut to the 53-man roster. The Sacramento Bee reports that if Johnson does not start to improve, he could be out before the year begins. The wide receiver notes that he is doing his best to adjust to the system.

"I've pretty much taken it upon myself to be unorthodox to make up for some things that other receivers have - you know, speed and quickness," Johnson said. "I set up my routes a little different. It's a gift and a curse. Because it can take some time to build chemistry with quarterbacks. But at the same time, the gift is that you know you can get open."

According to Harbaugh, Johnson's roster spot is safe for the time being. Right now the receiver is not lining up with the starters, but Harbaugh remains hopeful that it could change before the year starts. He told reports that the third receiver spot on the depth chart has yet to be determined and Johnson will be given every opportunity to earn it.