49ers’ wide receiver room takes a hit as Robinson suspension looms over early 2025 schedule
San Francisco will start the 2025 season without Demarcus Robinson for the first three games after coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed the free agent signee will serve a suspension. The move stems from an arrest last November in which Robinson faced misdemeanor DUI charges after California Highway Patrol officers said he was driving over 100 mph in southern California. Robinson pleaded no contest to the DUI in July and received three years of probation. The league had been weighing a three-game suspension this offseason, and Shanahan’s remarks today effectively confirmed that outcome.
Robinson signed a two-year deal worth up to $9.5 million, with $6 million guaranteed, as one of San Francisco’s notable free-agent additions on offense this offseason. Shanahan noted the suspension while describing the team’s depth challenges at receiver during training camp.
Robinson has been one of the few 49ers wideouts to avoid injury-related misses in camp. However, the rest of the position group has dealt with issues: first-round 2024 pick Ricky Pearsall missed time early with a hamstring problem but has since returned to practice, Jauan Jennings has battled a calf issue, and Jacob Cowing and rookie Jordan Watkins have been sidelined with injuries. The 49ers also re-signed Malik Knowles this morning; Knowles spent last season with the Green Bay Packers after being with San Francisco in June before a brief release.
Shanahan indicated veteran pass-catcher Brandon Aiyuk, who was named a second-team All-Pro by some observers last season, is expected to be out until Week 6. The rest of the injured group is anticipated to return sooner than that, giving San Francisco a clearer picture as training camp moves toward the preseason finale.
With Robinson suspended, the 49ers will lean on depth at the position as they prepare for Week 1. If the ban remains in place, he would be eligible to return for the Week 4 home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The team’s preseason finale against the Los Angeles Chargers will help determine how the current depth chart shapes up once Robinson returns.
What this means for the 49ers
– The early part of the season will test San Francisco’s receiver depth, with Pearsall, Jennings, Cowing, Watkins and Knowles charting the path alongside Aiyuk when he returns.
– The coaching staff will likely rely on a combination of timing routes from the veteran quarterback group and a run-heavy approach to mitigate the absence of a full complement of healthy receivers.
– Robinson’s return in Week 4 could provide a needed boost as the unit aims to hit the ground running against a strong Jaguars defense.
Summary
The 49ers face a challenging early schedule without Demarcus Robinson due to a three-game suspension tied to a DUI arrest. The coaching staff stressed that the team is prepared to lean on its depth at wide receiver, with Pearsall back in rotation and Knowles added to the mix, as Aiyuk remains sidelined until Week 6. San Francisco will monitor the health of its other receivers as it shifts toward the regular season.
Optional additional note
– If you’re covering this for a live blog or update feed, consider tracking daily practice notes on Pearsall’s readiness, Jennings’ calf recovery updates, and any adjustments to the 49ers’ week-by-week receiver rotation as Week 1 approaches. Positive angle: the organization’s depth and the return of multiple players from injury could accelerate continuity once Robinson is eligible to play, keeping the offense competitive in the early portion of the season.