The San Francisco 49ers are in need of their wide receivers to step up. In the wake up Michael Crabtree's injury, the team has one guaranteed starter, one player likely to switch positions to play receiver and a couple players in a race to get on the field first. After the team's first preseason game, it was clear that no one is ready for Week 1.
Anquan Boldin was a star in the team's first game, but that was to be expected. The wide receiver was a big offseason signing for the 49ers and he is picking up exactly where the team had hoped he could. However it was planned that he and Crabtree would be an excellent one-two punch until Crabtree went down with an Achilles tear and is not expected to return until later in the season if at all. So who starts next to Boldin? If San Francisco based that off Thursday night's performance, it would not be A.J. Jenkins.
The Denver game was the second-year receiver's big audition for a starting role and so far he does not look the part. Jenkins lost a fumble, mis-read a pass that was then intercepted and had a few key drops. A first round draft pick just one year ago, Jenkins is proving to be more than a work in progress.
"It's the first preseason game. We have three more games left," Jenkins told reporters after the game. "It's a long year. No need to panic and get all discouraged. Just got to keep watching film."
That diagnosis of his performance was slightly more positive than that of head coach Jim Harbaugh. The 49ers coach said that Jenkins' night "could have been better." He stressed that the team, especially the offense, had plenty of work to do after turning the ball over four times in the game.
San Francisco is banking on a strong year from Jenkins. The wide receiver was essentially inactive last season. He played in just three games and dropped the one pass he was targeted for. With Crabtree out with injury, he was set up in the position to become a starter. At this point, Marlon Moore is the likely pairing with Boldin. That leaves Jenkins to battle with the likes of Austin Collie, Mario Manningham, Kassim Osgood and Chad Hall for the starting spot. Collie, Moore and Osgood all outperformed Jenkins throughout the night.
It is only the first week of preseason action. The wide receiver still has plenty of time left to make himself a name to remember. Tight end Vernon Davis told reporters that Jenkins has bright future ahead of him that will not be hurt by one bad night.
