The San Francisco 49ers are awfully thankful both quarterback Mac Jones and wide receiver Kendrick Bourne stepped up in a major way during the Week 5 Thursday Night Football victory over the Los Angeles Rams.
The two backups combined for 10 catches and 142 yards, and it's safe to say the performance fully vindicated the Niners' decision to grab Bourne off the free-agent heap just weeks prior.
With the 4-1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers looming, San Francisco is likely going to need both Jones and Bourne to deliver a similar performance in Week 6.
The 49ers remain shorthanded at wide receiver, and things aren't looking good on the depth chart with second-year pro Ricky Pearsall dealing with a knee injury that left him out of Week 5's showdown and veteran Jauan Jennings dealing with both ankle and ribs injuries. With few other pass-catching options at Jones' disposal (he himself is poised to start in lieu of the injured Brock Purdy), the chemistry between QB2 and Bourne is vital.
Thankfully, they can rely on said relationship from their days together with the New England Patriots, dating back to Jones' rookie season there in 2021.
Kendrick Bourne will be key to a 49ers win over Buccaneers
The Niners are dealing with plenty of injuries, yes. But the Bucs, too, are awfully banged up, and their problems extend beyond their own wide receiver shortages as well.
In addition to wide receivers Chris Godwin (leg) and Mike Evans (hamstring) being hurt, Tampa Bay is poised to be without starting cornerback Zyon McCollum (hand) for Sunday's contest.
Todd Bowles says Mike Evans, Chris Godwin Jr., Bucky Irving, Josh Williams, Benjamin Morrison and Zyon McCollum will not play against the 49ers.
— Brianna Dix (@briannadixNFL) October 10, 2025
The news bodes well for San Francisco, of course, but its own shortages on offense point to Bourne needing to have yet another big day.
To date, the Buccaneers have given up 1,092 pass yards and 10 touchdowns through the air over five weeks, and the 6.3 net pass-yards-allowed average ranks 13th highest over that span, a figure that could increase slightly in light of McCollum's absence.
However, that only happens if Bourne winds up delivering in a manner not unlike how he managed against Los Angeles.
The 49ers and Bucs kick off on Sunday, Oct. 12 at 4:25 p.m. ET from Raymond James Stadium.