With Mario Manningham joining Kyle Williams on the sideline for the rest of the 49ers’ season, the team’s going to need contributions from all their other receiving targets.
Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com reports that tight end Vernon Davis “should be available” for the season finale against the Cardinals after suffering a concussion that knocked him out of last week’s loss to the Seahawks. If he is in the lineup, it would be a good opportunity for the team to get him more involved in the passing game than he has been in recent weeks.
Davis has just five receptions in the last five games and, according to Elias Sports Bureau, he’s only been targeted nine times over that span. That’s a sharp drop that has coincided with Colin Kaepernick taking over at quarterback, something Davis recently attributed to the need to create chemistry with the new quarterback.
Of course, Davis isn’t the only player in position to do more. Randy Moss will become the No. 2 wide receiver behind Michael Crabtree, a move that comes as his increased playing time has resulted in 10 catches over the last four weeks. The numbers for Moss and Davis will have to go up for the 49ers’ passing game to keep producing into the postseason.