49ers: 5 top takeaways from Week 15 win over Seahawks

Seahawks vs. 49ers: 5 top takeaways from San Francisco’s Week 15 win

SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 16: Richie James #13 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after returning a kickoff for a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

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San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Week 15 game recap

Richie James #13 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

No. 5: Richie James Jr. shows what we’ve been waiting for

Rookie wide receiver Richie James Jr. has had a fairly quiet season, being primarily utilized as a kick returner. With head coach Kyle Shanahan unwilling to risk further injury to wide receiver Dante Pettis, James has had to settle for the role he has been placed in.

He has however seen limited game time at the receiver position with five receptions for 94 yards, averaging 18.8 yards per reception.

James has racked up 525 yards for the season from 22 kickoff returns. Over the past several weeks, James has had two fumbles while attempting to return kicks. This saw Shanahan replace him with wide receiver Trent Taylor in Week 14’s win over the Denver Broncos.

However, Sunday saw James redeem himself with an amazing 97-yard kickoff return touchdown, the first 49ers’ kick-off return touchdown since 2011:

https://twitter.com/49ers/status/1074415325553188864

While he had only one other return for the game, he is worth a mention due to the sheer excitement of the run. If James can continue to hold onto the ball, the 49ers may have found a replacement for Pettis at returner.