5 SF 49ers players who’ll be on notice for 2021 season

No. 2: SF 49ers Wide Receiver Jalen Hurd

At this point, it’s clear two-year wide receiver Jalen Hurd has just one goal for his pro career: stay healthy.

This isn’t something Hurd has been able to do since being drafted in Round 3 of the 2019 NFL Draft. During the preseason his rookie year, Hurd suffered a back injury that ultimately held him out the entirety of that season. Looking to bounce back in 2020, a subsequent ACL tear derailed any chances of a comeback.

The former running back-turned wide receiver has a long and uncertain road ahead of him. Only a handful of fans are still clinging to the idea he can be a mismatch nightmare, and there’s a strong chance the SF 49ers move on anyway after investing more resources to bolster the remaining wide receiver depth chart.

Even though injuries are a tough blow and Hurd shouldn’t receive too much flak for suffering through them, the Niners are in a position where they don’t have to be patient with his recovery.

It’s entirely possible Hurd fully recovers again in time for training camp. But considering his limited experience at the position after his collegiate positional and school transfer, paired with his extreme injury history within the NFL ranks, it’s safe to say San Francisco won’t wait long to see if Hurd finally is able to break through.