Wide receiver Deebo Samuel, for example, declined to speak with reporters after a poor performance against the Green Bay Packers—which Samuel later disputed despite the announcement coming from the team.
As for Jennings, Kyle Shanahan was asked why the team's leading receiver hasn't been speaking to the media, leaving the head coach a little jealous.
"I didn't even know he wasn't talking to you guys, so that's the first I've heard. Can I do that, too?" Shanahan said, laughing. "Maybe Jauan is just smarter than I am. Yeah, I didn't know."
Shanahan, however, took the opportunity to praise Jennings' competitive spirit and his contributions to the offense, even in a season filled with adversity.
"Jauan's an emotional dude, and that's what makes him so great," Shanahan shared. "You guys see how he plays, and Jauan's one of my favorite people in the world. He's unique in just the energy he brings to everything.
"And I haven't asked him because I didn't know that, but I'm sure he hasn't been in the mood after games. He takes those hard."
Jennings has been a bright spot for the struggling 49ers, amassing 50 receptions for 684 yards and four touchdowns this season. His performance earned him a two-year contract extension in May, securing a spot with the team through the 2025 season.
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