San Francisco 49ers: 3 players off to slow start at training camp
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: 49ers Wide Receiver Dante Pettis
Full disclaimer, it doesn’t appear as if third-year wide receiver Dante Pettis has done anything wrong or poorly over the first three days of on-field camp practices. This, in contrast to the struggles he had throughout training camp a year ago at this time.
The problem, though, is Pettis needs to outshine the vast majority of his competition to have a shot at the 53-man roster by Week 1.
There’s some favor to the context here, particularly after fellow wideout Jalen Hurd suffered what is feared to be a torn ACL, potentially ending his season and likely opening up another roster spot for Pettis to seize if he proves his value.
The thing, though, is Pettis needs to be one of those players regularly showing up on practice reports for all the right reasons. Considering the former second-round pick was inactive for Super Bowl LIV and remains in Kyle Shanahan’s proverbial “doghouse,” it’s vital for Pettis winds up being one of the better performers for San Francisco in camp.
And for the hopefuls, Pettis wasn’t named to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco’s latest 53-man roster predictions. For one of the team’s best insiders to feel as if Pettis won’t make the cut, the lack of positive news surrounding Pettis over the first three days is a bit concerning for his chances.
It mandates an uptick in production, too.