The San Francisco 49ers are without starting wide receivers Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel due to injuries for their Week 7 game against the Atlanta Falcons.
Therefore, Brandin Cooks and Jordan Watkins got the start on Sunday, and many wondered which wide receiver would step up today, given all the injuries.
As it stands at the half the 49ers are up 14-12 at the half; however, it's been a run-heavy game for head coach Kyle Shanahan's squad.
Running backs Christian McCaffrey and Kaelon Black have combined for 89 rushing yards and two touchdowns. McCaffrey also added three receptions for 45 receiving yards.
Unfortunately, McCaffrey sustained a thigh injury and is questionable to return, although he was seen running into the locker room, which is a significantly better sign than if he was limping (or being carted off) the field.
Cooks and Watkins combined for 0 receiving yards in the first half, unfortunately.
49ers need Brandin Cooks or Jordan Watkins to step it up vs. Falcons.
Watkins was not even targeted at all, and Cooks was only targeted once. That will need to change in the second half. One of the receivers will need to step it up, especially in light of the slew of injuries the Niners had entering Week 7.
With Black's second-quarter fumble, head coach Kyle Shanahan will probably not want to max out the run game and will lean on the passing game in the second half.
That means either Cooks or Watkins will have to emerge as a go-to option. So far, neither has.
Hopefully, quarterback Brock Purdy will have someone step up from his available wide receiver room in the second half. Otherwise, it's going to be a long day for the 49ers, and it could ultimately lead to their first defeat of the season if one of these two receiving options fails to deliver.
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