Last year, 49ers receiver A.J. Jenkins was perhaps the NFL’s most disappointing first-round draft pick, failing to catch a single pass all season. This year, Jenkins started the preseason by catching one pass, and promptly fumbling. So is Jenkins worried that he’s running out of opportunities?
Not at all: Jenkins says it’s just the first preseason game, and there’s plenty of time to get things sorted out.
“Hopefully, I’ve made some strides,” Jenkins said, via CSNBayArea.com. “It’s the first preseason game. We have three more games left. It’s a long year. No need to panic and get all discouraged. Just got to keep watching film.”
If it really were just one preseason game, Jenkins would be right that there’s no reason to panic. But it’s not just one preseason game. It’s 16 regular-season games and three postseason games last year in which Jenkins failed to have any impact whatsoever. If Jenkins can’t prove himself in a hurry, it’s entirely possible that he won’t even make the 53-man roster this season.