SANTA CLARA — Wide receiver attrition has hit the 49ers hard entering Saturday’s preseason opener, and with still no movement on Brandon Aiyuk’s status, veteran Robbie Chosen signed on as another reinforcement Thursday.
“Not having a guy like Brandon out there is huge, but we’ve got a lot of young guys out there who are battling all the time, and we’ve brought in some older vets to mix in there,” coach Kyle Shanahan said on SirirusXM NFL Radio.
Shanahan’s interview took place ahead of their final practice — with a plethora of reserve receivers — before Saturday’s exhibition at the Tennessee Titans.
While Deebo Samuel and Chris Conley had the day off, injuries kept out Ricky Pearsall (shoulder) and Danny Gray (shoulder). Malik Turner and Terique Owens went on Injured Reserve earlier this week.
Chosen did not practice but did come out to watch warmups; the 49ers have yet to officially announce his signing and a corresponding roster move.
That left Jauan Jennings to take center stage as the top target, and he came through with three receptions in 11-on-11 drills. The other options: Trent Taylor, Ronnie Bell, Jacob Cowing, Frank Darby, Jontre Kirklin, and Malik Turner.
It was a stark reminder how different the 49ers’ offense might look without Aiyuk, who’s been granted permission to seek a trade and is believed to seek the Pittsburgh Steelers as an ideal destination. The 49ers control his rights as he has a year remaining on his rookie contract, at a $14.1 million salary that is half what he likely will get per year in a new contract.
“When you deal with the business part, I hope that does get worked out,” said Shanahan, who’s held a press conference with local reporters just once in the past six days, on Tuesday.
Through 13 practices of camp, this time also is about creating reps for reserves to enhance depth.
“Plenty of times people just break an ankle in Week 1 or training camp, and you have big plans for the season and you have to go without a part missing,” Shanahan added. “Right now it’s almost like we’re preparing that way because guys aren’t here, so those guys do get reps and prepare for that moment, which could come just as easily come in Week 3 when guys get an injury.”
Chosen, a ninth-year veteran previously known as Robbie Anderson, signed a day after his tryout. He played in nine games last season at Miami under former 49ers assistant Mike McDaniel. Chosen has 30 touchdown catches in 120 games, having also played for the New York Jets, the Carolina Panthers and the New York Jets.
OTHER STARTERS SIT
Linebacker Fred Warner (foot) did not practice for a second straight day, though he was a loud spectator near the weight room.
Cornerbacks Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir did not practice on what’s believed to be load maintenance. Out with injuries remain running backs Christian McCaffrey, Elijah Mitchell and Isaac Guerendo; guard Spencer Burford; and linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles.
OFFENSIVE LINE PREVIEW
Rookie right guard Dominick Puni should see extensive playing time in his pro debut, said offensive line coach Chris Foerster. Puni has been the first-string right guard since the third practice of camp, after Spencer Burford sustained a fractured right hand that has not required surgery.
Puni was the 49ers’ third-round draft pick (No. 86 overall) behind wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (first round) and cornerback Renardo Green (No. 64). Pearsall aggravated a shoulder injury last weekend so his debut figures to wait until later this preseason.
With Trent Williams yet to report amid a contract holdout, Jaylon Moore has filled in at left tackle. Veterans Chris Hubbard and Brandon Parker are battling for backup roles, though Foerster said they’ve already shown enough in camp to where preseason games shouldn’t overly influence their roster potential.
BROWN EXPECTS TO PLAY
Shanahan has said he will sit most starters, but safety Ji’Ayir Brown expects to play and “see where I’m out,” though he said he is not studying the regular-season opening opponent, the New York Jets. A year ago, Brown was the 49ers’ top draft pick (in the third round).
“It’s been a while since Feb. 11, since I’ve been on the field,” Brown said of the Super Bowl. “I’ll go through my progression and make sure I’m ready for Week 1. … I was a lot more nervous (last preseason). I’m more comfortable and settled. I”m just trying to sharpen my tools, whereas last year I was trying to find out who I was.”
While George Odum has excelled with Brown as a safety tandem in camp, former All-Pro Talanoa Hufanga is expected to get medically cleared next week to join practices, for the first time since his season-ending knee injury in November. Brown said he is “waiting for my guy to get back,” and that they not only talk on the practice field sidelines but they exchange notes in the meeting room.
Tracy Walker, a safety with the Detroit Lions the past six seasons, debuted in Thursday’s practice and broke up a pass intended for tight end Eric Saubert in one-on-one drills.
