Niner Noise
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49ers’ Kendrick Bourne should be next man up for depleted wide receiver corps

By Peter Panacy

KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 11: Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne #6 of the San Francisco 49ers is congratulated by teammates after catching a pass for a touchdown during the preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on August 11, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 11: Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne #6 of the San Francisco 49ers is congratulated by teammates after catching a pass for a touchdown during the preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on August 11, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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The San Francisco 49ers lost No. 1 wide receiver Pierre Garçon to a season-ending neck injury, which should at least open up the door for rookie Kendrick Bourne.

2017 hasn’t been kind to the San Francisco 49ers in a number of ways, but perhaps the biggest issue has been the never-ending injury bug.

Earlier this week, the Niners lost their No. 1 wide receiver, Pierre Garçon, to a season-ending neck injury suffered during the team’s Week 8 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Garçon, who was on pace to have a 1,000-yard season this year, creates a huge void in San Francisco’s passing offense.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan has some options, of course, but the primary one he should look at for the rest of the year is undrafted rookie Kendrick Bourne.

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Bourne, at 6-foot-1 and 203 pounds, is the tallest among the league’s shortest receiving crop.

And while Bourne was overshadowed at Eastern Washington last year but current Los Angeles Rams wideout Cooper Kupp, Bourne still offers some unique intangibles from which the Niners may benefit over the second half of the season.

To date, Bourne has only been active for three of the 49ers’ eight games this season. He’s yet to impact the stat sheet, although he did record six preseason receptions for 113 yards and a touchdown:

What Kendrick Bourne Has to Offer

Bourne doesn’t offer elite or even moderate-level speed, as indicated by his 4.68 40-yard time at the NFL Scouting Combine last spring.

This is a setback in head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense, but where Bourne makes up for it is with solid hands and reliable pass-catching ability. Some of his collegiate tape also shows the physicality not unlike what Garçon has flashed over his career.

Bourne isn’t quite on the same level, but he’d easily be the most physical of any of the Niners’ current receivers. That’s a plus.

Long-Term 49ers Ramifications

Wide receiver is going to be a position of need this offseason, so it’s worth seeing what Bourne can do for his chances to impact the roster beyond 2017.

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Shanahan is likely going to employ wideouts Marquise Goodwin and Aldrick Robinson at Nos. 1 and 2, while Trent Taylor holds down slot duties. But mixing in Bourne on favorable underneath routes would be an excellent way to both boost his confidence and provide some crucial evaluatory material.

If Bourne struggles, fine. It isn’t as if these final eight games on the Niners’ schedule are meant for a 2017 playoff push. Yet if Bourne is able to flash a bit of promise, there’s a good chance he cements himself a place on the team’s roster in 2018 and beyond.

Next: 10 49ers who should see more playing time over rest of 2017

Might as well see what you have, 49ers.