Broncos vs. 49ers: 5 players to watch for San Francisco’s preseason matchup
By Peter Panacy
No. 4: Wide Receiver Kendrick Bourne
San Francisco 49ers
While he wasn’t on the field the same time as Brian Hoyer, wide receiver Kendrick Bourne managed to be one of San Francisco’s standouts in Kansas City.
Bourne finished the night as the Niners’ leading receiver, logging four catches for 88 yards and a touchdown. He also had an impressive two-point conversion on a fade-route catch — one that tied things up at 17 apiece in the fourth quarter.
Said Bourne, “I was locked in and ready to go,” via Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area. “I studied real hard because I knew I was going to be in the game. I didn’t want to make the same mistakes. That’s what practice is for.”
The Niners have likely filled five of their assumed six 53-man roster spots at wide receiver — Pierre Garcon, Marquise Goodwin, Jeremy Kerley, Aldrick Robinson and Trent Taylor.
So Bourne is competing for a final spot here, making contributions like these key for his roster chances.
If they continue, the 49ers may be forced into a situation where they can’t avoid keeping Bourne off the roster.