It's official. The San Francisco 49ers, per head coach Kyle Shanahan, have announced that veteran wide receiver Demarcus Robinson is suspended for the first three games of the 2025 season.
Though the news was expected, considering it's the usual length of suspension for a first-time DUI offense, it still delivers a blow to the playoff hopefuls. The Niners already have question marks at this position with Brandon Aiyuk's recovery from his 2024 ACL injury, and Jauan Jennings wanting a new contract while also dealing with calf issues.
San Francisco can begin weathering the storm of Robinson's absence to begin Week 1 by approaching its preseason finale against the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday with a plan.
That plan may be to focus on the younger pass catchers on their roster.
Here are three receivers who can benefit with Robinson temporarily out of the picture.
1. Ricky Pearsall
The 49ers' first round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft has already shown signs of stardom in the Bay Area. At the end of last season, then-rookie Ricky Pearsall shined with back-to-back games hauling in a score.
Against the Detroit Lions in Week 17, the former Florida Gator standout had a season best eight receptions and high of 141 receiving yards. He finished his rookie season for the 49ers with 31 receptions, 400 yards, and three touchdowns.
This preseason, Pearsall has three catches for a total of 42 yards. He is averaging 14.0 yards per reception which is better than his 2024 regular season average of 12.9 yards.
Pearsall would be the first to benefit from Robinson missing time, especially if there's no one else to challenge him for a true WR1 designation.
2. Jordan Watkins
This year's rookie wideout has the room to grow with Robinson not taking reps on the field. Jordan Watkins has as many preseason catches as Pearsall (three) but has collected more yards (56).
Unfortunately for Watkins, he might not be ready for the regular-season opener as he recovers from a high-ankle sprain suffered in preseason Week 1 against the Denver Broncos, although there is hope he'll return sooner than later, perhaps taking advantage of a thin depth chart until Robinson's suspension concludes.
San Francisco would be elated to see it used a fourth-round pick wisely on the rookie.
3. Jacob Cowing
Limited last year, Jacob Cowing saw more time on special teams than he did lining up at wide receiver. With his four receptions caught for 80 yards, the 49ers' second drafted receiver from 2024 actually had a higher average per catch than Pearsall last season.
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reported that Cowing did not practice on Wednesday prior to the preseason finale after suffering a lower-body injury the day before. If the former Arizona Wildcat wants to make the 53-man roster, Cowing either needs to recover fast enough to take the field on Saturday or hope the 49ers' coaching staff believes in him enough to keep him.
With Robinson out of the picture for about a month, Cowing has to take advantage of that, just like Pearsall and Watkins.