LISTEN: State Of The 49ers With John Chapman →
placeholder image

Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports


Richie James likely secured a spot on 49ers’ 53-man roster with effort vs. Chargers

Aug 30, 2018 at 10:02 PM

Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.

The San Francisco 49ers capped off their 2018 preseason with a 23-21 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers Thursday night. And rookie wide receiver Richie James likely ensured he'll have a spot on the 53-man roster after his performance.

Rookie wide receiver Richie James wasn't necessarily a lock to make the San Francisco 49ers' 53-man roster in 2018. But after his efforts Thursday night during the Niners' final exhibition tuneup against the Los Angeles Chargers, James is likely going to make the cut.

James' night was pretty spectacular during San Francisco's 23-21 loss. He saw a sizable portion of field time, indicating head coach Kyle Shanahan wanted to give him as big an opportunity to flash his value to the regular-season roster. When the night was over, James' stat line read seven catches for 80 yards. He also added an impressive 23-yard punt return late in the third quarter.

Quarterback Nick Mullens also found James for a 27-yard pickup that quarter as well -- a perfectly thrown pass along the sideline on which James was being covered by two Chargers defenders:

The 49ers have a number of tough decisions at wide receiver with the preseason now over. Pierre Garçon, Marquise Goodwin, Trent Taylor and Dante Pettis are locks to make the 53-man roster. Kendrick Bourne stands a good chance to make the cut. And if Shanahan elects to keep no more than six receivers into Week 1, one would argue James has to be the final player selected.

It would mean he beats out special teams ace Aaron Burbridge, as well as a number of the other depth receivers. But based off James' preseason finale, it's hard to suggest the rookie seventh-round NFL Draft pick would be left off.

  • Written by:
    Peter Panacy has been writing about the 49ers since 2011 for outlets like Bleacher Report, Niner Noise, 49ers Webzone, and is occasionally heard as a guest on San Francisco's 95.7 FM The Game and the Niners' flagship station, KNBR 680. Feel free to follow him, or direct any inquiries to his Twitter account.
Enjoy this article? Follow us to never miss more!

Powered by Follow.it


Comments

More San Francisco 49ers News

placeholder image

Terrell Owens on 49ers: Deebo needs to shift focus, Jennings a bright spot

By David Bonilla
Nov 21

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards only once in his six NFL seasons. That career-best performance came in 2021, when the versatile playmaker amassed 1,770 scrimmage yards and 14 total touchdowns, including an impressive 1,405...


placeholder image

Jerry Rice on the 49ers: 'Everybody needs to man up'

By David Bonilla
Nov 18

Calling Sunday's loss to the Seattle Seahawks disappointing is an understatement, especially for San Francisco 49ers legend Jerry Rice. Watching his former team blow a fourth-quarter lead for the third time this season was tough for the Hall of Famer, who remains one of the...


placeholder image

49ers announce roster moves ahead of battle with Packers

By Marc Adams
Nov 23

The San Francisco 49ers have announced the following roster moves ahead of Sunday's game in Green Bay against the Packers: Placed LB Tatum Bethune (knee) on IR (injured reserve) Promoted S Tashaun Gipson to the active roster Elevated LB Jalen Graham from the practice squad...


placeholder image

Deebo Samuel disputes report of declining to speak with media after 49ers loss

By David Bonilla
45 mins

After the San Francisco 49ers' crushing 38-10 defeat to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reported that wide receiver Deebo Samuel declined to speak with the media. #49ers WR Deebo Samuel declined to speak with the media after the...


Latest

Trending News

Share 49ersWebzone