Cowing is an interesting second-year receiver who can add some speed and shiftiness to the 49ers' receiving corps. He'll spend the preseason vying for playing time behind the likes of Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall. The best-case scenario is a smaller role until Brandon Aiyuk comes back from injury -- that's not enough to warrant a draft pick.
Coach Kyle Shanahan said this weekend that Cowing (hamstring) could be sidelined for six weeks, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Cowing missed time last summer with a hamstring injury, and he also missed a sizable chunk of this year's training camp with a pulled hamstring. It's becoming a chronic issue for the second-year wide receiver after he was unable to log any preseason playing time this summer. There's a decent chance he begins the 2025 campaign on injured reserve, which would cost Cowing at least the first four games of the regular season.
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49ers' Jacob Cowing: Missing practice time again
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Cowing isn't practicing Wednesday after suffering a lower-body injury Tuesday, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Cowing injured his hamstring during the first practice of training camp and was out for nearly three weeks before easing back into action last Tuesday. He's now absent again, with no word so far on whether it's an aggravation of the hamstring pull or a new injury altogether. Either way, the 49ers are hurting for wideout depth, with Cowing, Jauan Jennings (calf), Brandon Aiyuk (knee) and Jordan Watkins (ankle) all absent from practice. Demarcus Robinson is healthy but may soon be suspended, perhaps opening the door for Russell Gage or one of the other depth players to get a lot of snaps early in the season. Cowing is also a candidate if he's able to make it back before Jennings and Aiyuk.
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49ers' Jacob Cowing: Returns to practice
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Cowing (hamstring) returned to practice Tuesday in a limited fashion, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Cowing injured his hamstring on the first day of training camp, kicking off a stretch of poor injury luck for San Francisco's wideouts this summer. Ricky Pearsall returned from his own hamstring injury in late July, but Jauan Jennings (calf) and Jordan Watkins (ankle) have since been sidelined, and Brandon Aiyuk (knee) remains on the PUP list. There's also a strong chance Demarcus Robinson will be suspended for the first few games after pleading no contest in July to a DUI charge, potentially opening the door for Cowing to have an early role even if he's just fifth or sixth on the depth chart when everyone is healthy. A 2024 fourth-round pick, Cowing caught just four passes on 106 offensive snaps last season, getting most of his work on punt returns (28 for 245). However, he won't necessarily reprise that role on special teams after the 49ers drafted return specialist Junior Bergen in the seventh round this spring.
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49ers' Jacob Cowing: Hopeful to return in 2-3 weeks
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San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan said Sunday that he's hopeful Cowing (hamstring) will be back by the week of Aug. 11 for joint practices with the Raiders, David Lombardi of SFStandard.com reports.
This timeline likely indicates that Cowing will miss the 49ers' first preseason game on Saturday, Aug. 9 as he deals with a pulled hamstring, which he suffered during the first practice of training camp Wednesday. The 2024 fourth-round pick is coming off a rookie season in which he logged just five touches on offense over 15 regular-season appearances. Instead, his primary contributions came as a punt returner. San Francisco is dealing with a rash of injuries at wide receiver, as Brandon Aiyuk (knee) is still on the active/PUP list while recovering from a torn ACL and Jauan Jennings also left practice Sunday with a calf injury. Once he gets back on the field in training camp, Cowing could have a chance to push for a bigger role ahead of Demarcus Robinson and Equanimeous St. Brown -- two veterans who the team added as free agents.
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49ers' Jacob Cowing: Mainly used on ST in rookie year
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Cowing finished his rookie season with four receptions for 80 yards and one rushing attempt for seven yards across 15 active games.
Cowing was primarily used on special teams in 2024, producing 277 return yards. The Arizona product flashed some big-play ability as a receiver, averaging 20.0 yards per reception in limited action. Cowing could see more work as a sophomore in 2025, but it would likely take an injury or two in order to open up enough playing time to warrant fantasy consideration next year.
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49ers' Jacob Cowing: Slated to suit up Sunday
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Cowing (concussion) does not have an injury designation for Sunday's Week 13 battle versus the Bills, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports reports.
Cowing suffered a concussion Week 11 against Seattle and didn't suit up this past Sunday versus Green Bay. However, he's cleared the NFL's concussion protocol and will be able to play against Buffalo. Cowing has been held without a catch in all but one of his nine games so far this season, and his primary contributions have come as a punt returner.
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49ers' Jacob Cowing: Missing Week 12
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Cowing (concussion) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Packers, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
Cowing sustained a concussion in the 49ers' Week 11 loss to the Seahawks and was unable to practice both Thursday and Friday, so it's no surprise that he won't suit up Sunday. The rookie wideout from Arizona has seen minimal offensive work through nine appearances this season, catching two of his three targets for 50 yards. Expect Ronnie Bell to serve as San Francisco's top punt returner with Cowing sidelined in Week 12.
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49ers' Jacob Cowing: Misses practice Thursday
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Cowing (concussion) did not participate in practice Thursday.
The punt returner and wide receiver was a limited participant Wednesday after suffering the concussion during Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Seahawks. Cowing's status is moving in the wrong direction as this week's showdown with the Packers approaches. Ronnie Bell might be in line to return punts if Cowing misses Week 12.
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49ers' Jacob Cowing: Helps fill in for injured starters
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Cowing caught two of three targets for 50 yards in Sunday's 28-18 loss to the Chiefs.
Cowing saw his usage increase after the 49ers lost both starting wideouts early in the contest. The 2024 fourth-round pick used that opportunity to not only record his first catch as a professional, but he also tied teammate George Kittle for the longest reception of the game (41 yards). Cowing could continue to get work as the team's third or fourth receiver -- depending on the health status of multiple wideouts this week -- when the 49ers host the Cowboys next Sunday.
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49ers' Jacob Cowing: Iffy for Thursday
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Cowing (shoulder) is considered day-to-day as the 49ers begin Week 6 prep Monday, Lindsey Pallares of the 49ers' official site reports.
Cowing has been considered day-to-day since Sept. 30 after he suffered his shoulder injury in Week 4 against the Patriots. The rookie receiver was able to return to practice this past Friday, so he's at least made some progress in that time. Whether or not he'll be able to play in Week 6 likely won't be clear until closer to Thursday night's kickoff.
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49ers' Jacob Cowing: Misses practice again
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Cowing (shoulder) did not participate in Thursday's practice.
Cowing has missed the first two practices of the week after injuring his shoulder in Week 4 against the Patriots. He'll have one more chance to practice in some capacity in order to have a chance at playing Sunday against the Cardinals. Ronnie Bell has a chance at serving as the 49ers' No. 4 wideout in Week 5 if both Cowing and Chris Conley (oblique) are unable to play.
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49ers' Jacob Cowing: Absent from practice
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Cowing (shoulder) was listed as a DNP for Wednesday's practice.
Cowing injured his shoulder during the 49ers' Week 4 win against the Patriots. The rookie fourth-round pick is considered day-to-day with the injury, and he'll have two more chances to practice in some capacity ahead of Sunday's NFC West showdown against the Cardinals.
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49ers' Jacob Cowing: Goes to locker room
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Cowing is questionable to return to Sunday's game against New England due to a shoulder injury, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Cowing returned two punts for eight yards but did not see a pass from Brock Purdy before heading to the locker room due to a shoulder injury. Isaac Guerendo could fill in for Cowing as the 49ers' punt returner if the latter is unable to return to Sunday's game.
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49ers' Jacob Cowing: May play offense this week
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49ers GM John Lynch said Friday that Cowing "may get some [opportunities]" in Sunday's game against the Rams, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
With RB Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) on injured reserve, WR Deebo Samuel (calf) all but ruled out, and TE George Kittle (hamstring) now uncertain, the 49ers are badly in need of players that can haul in short passes and gain yards after the catch. Cowing may fit the bill thanks to his 4.38 speed and impressive agility, although he's no replacement for Samuel at just 5-foot-8, 172 pounds. Cowing had 4,477 receiving yards and 33 TDs in five collegiate season between UTEP and Arizona, but he's merely been a punt returner through two NFL games after going in the fourth round of the 2024 Draft. Any usage on offense this Sunday presumably would be on a part-time basis, with Cowing coming off the bench behind Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings and Chris Conley.
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49ers' Jacob Cowing: Limited to special teams thus far
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Cowing played three snaps -- all on special teams -- in Sunday's 23-17 loss to the Vikings.
The rookie fourth-round pick has been active for both of the 49ers' first two games of the season, but he has yet to see any use on offense. With top wideout Deebo Samuel (calf) trending toward an absence this Sunday versus the Rams, Cowing will move up a spot in the pecking order at receiver, though he still appears to be behind all of Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, Chris Conley and Ronnie Bell.
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49ers' Jacob Cowing: Shines in second preseason game
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Cowing caught four of five targets for 51 yards and took a carry for 19 yards in Sunday's 16-10 preseason win over the Saints.
Cowing got extensive playing time in the second and third quarters, highlighted by a 39-yard gain on a deep pass down the sideline shortly before halftime. Four of his five touches produced first downs, with the fifth being a five-yard loss on a screen pass where he unsuccessfully reversed field on a blown-up play. It was a nice performance, but the rookie fourth-round pick probably won't get much playing time early in the season even if the Niners fail to work out a contract with Brandon Aiyuk.
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49ers' Jacob Cowing: Missing another week
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Head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters Monday that Cowing is expected to miss another week or so with his hamstring injury, David Lombardi of The Athletic reports.
If Cowing misses one more week, he will have missed a total of 10 days of 49ers practice. However, it seems as if he'll definitely be ready for to go for the beginning of San Francisco's 2024 campaign. The 2024 fourth-round pick out of Arizona is expected to play a depth role in the 49ers' wide receiver room throughout his rookie season.
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49ers' Jacob Cowing: Surprise pick in San Fran
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The 49ers selected Cowing in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, 135th overall.
San Francisco is raising some eyebrows with its draft thus far, making Cowing its second receiver pick in the first four rounds. As the roster's currently constructed, Cowing is effectively blocked from seeing the field, but some movement could change that outlook. As a player, Cowing is best described as an undersized playmaker at 5-foot-8, 168 pounds with 4.38 speed and strong college production. Cowing starred at UTEP with 1,354 yards and seven touchdowns in 2021, which put him on the Power 5 radar. He transferred to Arizona, where he caught 20 touchdowns and recorded nearly 2,000 receiving yards over two seasons. The Tank Dell comparisons will follow him as a small and dynamic player out of the slot, but it will take time for him to live up to that in San Francisco as it stands.
