The San Francisco 49ers have their 53-man roster set and are days away from their 2025 season opener on the road when they face the Seattle Seahawks in an early NFC West matchup.
With a few question marks around the roster, one of the positions under the microscope is at wide receiver. Brandon Aiyuk (knee) and DeMarcus Robinson (suspension) are out for the first few weeks of the season, which only highlights the concerns at the position.
Quarterback Brock Purdy may be without one his top targets from last season in Jauan Jennings, too. After a career year with 77 receptions, 975 yards, and six touchdowns in 2024, all of which ranked among the top 35 in the NFL, Jennings is dealing with both a calf injury and an extension standoff. The latter has yet to reach any sort of resolution.
Jennings returned to practice in advance of the season opener, but there's always a chance he won't be at 100 percent (or even available) for Week 1's showdown, considering he hadn't practiced since the very beginning of training camp.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan may have to trust at least one of his fringe pass catchers to start. Second-year pro Ricky Pearsall showed he is capable of big numbers towards the end of last season. However, Jacob Cowing is not listed as available to play, and Jordan Watkins is a rookie.
Thus, this is where a 29-year-old veteran route runner enters the chat.
Welcome to the Niners, Russell Gage Jr.
What Russell Gage can do for the 49ers while others sit
It's been a few seasons since Gage took the field, thanks to serious injuries. But, if he shows signs of life out there that's anything close to the first three years, the Seahawks are in trouble during Week 1 against the 49ers.
In 2020, Gage posted career bests with 72 receptions, 786 yards, and four touchdowns as a member of the Atlanta Falcons. The next season, the former LSU Tiger's numbers were close, and Gage played in two fewer games that year.
During his lone season in a Tampa Buccaneers uniform, the Baton Rouge, Louisiana, native collected a new personal best of five touchdowns in 2022. Gage caught a touchdown pass against the 49ers in Week 15 of the 2022 season.
Roster juggling: 49ers releasing WR Russell Gage from their active roster, but intend to sign him to their practice squad and elevate him for Sunday’s game vs. Seattle if he does not sign elsewhere.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 2, 2025
Gage won't have to be the focal point of the offense as tight end George Kittle is also coming off an amazing season in 2024 and figures to be the No. 1 pass-catching weapon at Purdy's disposal.
If Jennings sits, Pearsall and Kittle are likely to be thrown to the most. However, playing Gage gives Shanahan and Purdy a trusting and viable option who is not in his first or second season in the league.
Robinson returns in Week 4, and Aiyuk could come back as soon as Week 6. Gage helps fill their voids created by missing and the same could be said if Jennings doesn't play on Sunday against the Seahawks as well.