49ers training camp: Updated bubble watch after opening cuts

49ers Wide Receiver

Lock: Brandon Aiyuk*, Kendrick Bourne, Trent Taylor

Strong Bubble: Jalen Hurd, Jauan Jennings*, Dante Pettis

Weak Bubble: Travis Benjamin, Shawn Poindexter, Deebo Samuel, Richie James

Long Shot: Chris Thompson

Injuries have befallen the Niners wide receiving corps this offseason, namely to Deebo Samuel (foot) and Richie James (wrist).

There’s a chance Samuel returns from his Jones fracture by the start of the regular season, although a more cautious approach could have him missing the first four weeks at least. Same goes with James’ wrist injury, too, which places both on the weaker side of the bubble. Although PUP players who start the regular season on this list automatically have to miss the first four weeks of the regular season.

Needless to say, it’s up in the air.

That leaves essentially only one reliable commodity, Kendrick Bourne, returning from last season. Trent Taylor is coming back from his own Jones fracture, Jalen Hurd missed all of 2019 with a serious back injury and Dante Pettis’ dramatic fall from grace last year needs little backstory.

As such, there’s going to be a lot of pressure on the two rookies, first-round draftee Brandon Aiyuk and the 49ers’ final pick of the draft, Tennessee’s Jauan Jennings.

Jennings, who broke 30 tackles on 59 receptions last year, is a player to watch as a potential steal for San Francisco.