As expected, 49ers receiver Mario Manningham will miss Sunday night’s game against the Patriots, with a shoulder injury.
The absence of Manningham means that veteran Randy Moss will continue to see increased opportunities, just in time for his return to Foxboro.
As explained by Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com, Moss will see more time in two-receiver sets. When the 49ers use three wideouts, rookie first-rounder A.J. Jenkins will add to his scant first-year playing time.
While Moss has drawn rave reviews in his first season as a 49er, his numbers pale in comparison to past years. Through 13 games, he has 21 catches for 326 yards and two touchdowns.