The NFL is a brutal business for anyone, but it's especially unforgiving for a fourth-round pick trying to crack a Kyle Shanahan rotation. Fans in Santa Clara have been scratching their heads lately about the 49ers rookie Jordan Watkins practice absences, wondering if the kid from Ole Miss is just another draft pick destined for the "redshirt" bin or if there's something more concerning going on behind the scenes at Levi’s Stadium.
Honestly, it's been a bit of a rollercoaster.
You've got a guy who was lighting it up during the early days of training camp, looking like he might actually provide that vertical threat the Niners have been craving. Then, the wheels sort of fell off. Between a nagging high-ankle sprain in August and a calf issue that popped up later, Watkins has been more of a ghost than a playmaker in 2025 and early 2026.
The Real Story Behind the Absences
It basically started with a "minor" thing.
During the preseason, Watkins went down with what was initially described as a bit of soreness. Shanahan even told reporters that Jordan didn't feel much after the game. But the MRI told a different story: a high-ankle sprain. That one injury effectively ended his momentum before the season even kicked off. When you're a rookie, missing a month of training camp is like trying to learn a new language while everyone else is already writing novels.
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Most recently, as the 49ers geared up for their 2026 Divisional Round matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, Watkins was notably absent from the active list again.
On January 17, 2026, the team officially listed him as inactive. While some fans were hoping he’d be the "X-factor" in the playoffs, the reality is that he’s been a healthy scratch or sidelined for the vast majority of the year. He only appeared in four games all season, hauling in two measly catches for 26 yards.
Why Shanahan Isn't Playing Him
Kyle Shanahan is famously blunt about his young wideouts.
He basically said that Jordan needs to show out on the practice field and prove he’s better than the veterans in front of him. That's a tall order when you're competing for targets in a room that has featured Kendrick Bourne, Demarcus Robinson, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling—not to mention the return of 2024 first-rounder Ricky Pearsall.
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The 49ers rookie Jordan Watkins practice absences are often a "coach's decision" because the team doesn't trust his grasp of the complex blocking schemes and route adjustments yet. If you don't know who to block on a toss-crack, you aren't seeing the field in San Francisco. Period.
It’s frustrating.
We saw what he did at Ole Miss—906 yards and nine touchdowns in his final year. The talent is there. But the 2025 season turned into a de facto redshirt year because he couldn't stay healthy enough to gain the coaching staff's trust.
- Injury History: High-ankle sprain (August), Calf injury (September).
- Stats: 2 receptions, 26 yards, 0 TDs in 2025.
- Draft Pedigree: 4th round, No. 138 overall.
- Current Status: Inactive for the 2026 Divisional Round vs. Seahawks.
Looking Ahead to 2026
What does this mean for the future?
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The Niners have a lot of receivers hitting free agency soon. Watkins is one of the few actually under contract for next season. This "missing time" might look bad now, but if he can use this offseason to finally get his body right and master the playbook, he’s got a clear path to a WR3 or WR4 spot in 2026.
He’s currently stuck behind guys like Skyy Moore on the punt return depth chart, too. To make it in this league, he’s got to become undeniable on special teams if the offensive snaps aren't coming.
Basically, the "absences" aren't a sign of a bust—not yet, anyway. They’re a sign of a rookie who got bit by the injury bug early and never quite caught up to the speed of a Super Bowl-caliber roster.
If you're looking for Watkins to make an impact, keep your eyes on the 2026 OTAs. That's where he’ll either sink or swim. For now, he’s a spectator in the 49ers' playoff run, watching from the sidelines as the veterans handle the heavy lifting.
Actionable Next Steps for 49ers Fans
- Monitor the Post-Season Pressers: Listen for Shanahan’s end-of-year evaluation of the rookie class. It’ll tell you if they still believe in Watkins' long-term ceiling.
- Watch the 2026 Special Teams Roster: If Watkins doesn't start taking reps as a primary returner in the 2026 preseason, his roster spot might actually be in jeopardy.
- Ignore the "Bust" Talk: Remember that many 49ers receivers (including Jauan Jennings) took a year or two to really find their footing in this specific system.
The 49ers rookie Jordan Watkins practice absences have been a major disappointment for those who expected an immediate deep threat, but in the world of NFL development, sometimes no news is just... slow news. He’s got the tools; he just needs the reps.