Wide receiver Dante Pettis was predicted by many to be a candidate for the San Francisco 49ers' breakout player this season. He finished Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a single catch for seven yards. It was the only time Pettis was targeted in the game.
In Pettis' defense, he wasn't out on the field a whole lot. The second-year receiver spent the last couple of weeks dealing with a groin injury. Still, he was a full participant during practices on Thursday and Friday. So why didn't fans see the young receiver out on the field more in Tampa?
"He had health issues," Shanahan told reporters after the game. "That's why he missed a week of practice. He just got cleared to come back on Monday, so he was a little behind the 8 ball on that. But he didn't start the game, and we didn't have a ton of long drives where we got into the substitution flow.
"He went into this game backing up, and when he did go in there, from everything I saw live, he did a hell of a job. So hopefully, he'll work off that and continue to earn some more time out there."
Pro Bowl tight end George Kittle, of course, led the 49ers in receiving yards with eight catches for 54 yards. Among the wideouts, Pettis, Richie James, Deebo Samuel, Kendrick Bourne, and Marquise Goodwin combined for seven catches for 79 receiving yards and a touchdown.
The 49ers ended up winning the game against the Buccaneers 31-17.
San Francisco's next opponent will be the Cincinnati Bengals on September 15. The kick-off from Paul Brown Stadium is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. PT (1:00 p.m. ET).
