49ers roster chances for these 4 players aren’t looking good

No. 1: 49ers Wide Receiver Jalen Hurd

There have been some teasing moments this year from third-year wide receiver Jalen Hurd. But after missing both 2019 and 2020 with serious injuries, the 6-foot-4 big-bodied pass-catcher’s time is likely running out to make an impact for Kyle Shanahan’s squad.

Shanahan effectively called Hurd out earlier during camp, saying “there’s not a lot of time left” for the former Baylor Bear to make a dent on the 49ers’ 53-man roster.

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True, Hurd responded with a quality practice the following day. Since then, however, Hurd has reverted back to needing rehab work on the sideline, likely a result of the torn ACL he suffered a year ago at this time during camp.

Hurd already missed Week 1 of the preseason, and his opening practices in advance of the Chargers game have been met with him working on the sidelines with trainers, too.

Reading beyond the initial reports and taking Shanahan’s earlier comments into consideration, it’s hard to see any other outcome than the Niners finally running out of patience with their former third-round NFL Draft pick.

San Francisco’s wide receiver depth chart is already forming up. Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Trent Sherfield and Mohamed Sanu all seemed guaranteed to survive cuts, while second-year pro Jauan Jennings is looking awfully good, too. Same with return specialist and gadget weapon Nsimba Webster.

Even if Hurd returns this preseason in some fashion, he might have already run out of the time needed, as Shanahan suggested.