San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jacob Cowing (hamstring) returned to practice on Tuesday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN reports. Cowing, who suffered a hamstring injury on the first day of camp, did individual work and mixed in some team snaps in his first practice back. The 5-foot-9, 171-pounder appeared in 15 games as a fourth-round rookie last year and caught a mere four passes for 80 yards. However, he garnered praise from head coach Kyle Shanahan during minicamp, and there was talk of Cowing helping to replace the departed Deebo Samuel Jr. in a gadget role. Now, there may be a path to more opportunities with the 49ers facing issues at the receiver position. Brandon Aiyuk (knee) will miss the first several weeks of the regular season, Jordan Watkins (ankle) is out for a month, and Jauan Jennings (calf) is also banged up. Additionally, Demarcus Robinson is staring at a potential suspension from a 2024 misdemeanor DUI charge.
Aug 12, 2025 8:32 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jacob Cowing (hamstring) is expected to return to practice on Tuesday, according to David Lombardi of the SF Standard. Cowing has been nursing a hamstring injury that he suffered a few weeks ago, but he looks set to return to the practice field before the second preseason game. The 49ers receiver room has been dealing with multiple injuries, including Jauan Jennings, Brandon Aiyuk, and most recently, rookie Jordan Watkins. Cowing had an uneventful rookie season but had gaudy production during college and has an opportunity to emerge. He won't be on many fantasy radars in drafts, but he could be a name to keep in mind as the season gets closer.
Aug 12, 2025 12:35 AM EST
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jacob Cowing (hamstring) suffered a pulled hamstring during Wednesday's training camp practice, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. The second-year wideout out of Arizona had a strong spring and is looking to earn a role in 2025, so this is obviously a tough development. However, it is unclear how much practice time Cowing will be forced to sit out, so fantasy managers in deep leagues should monitor the situation. The 2024 fourth-round pick was limited to just four receptions for 80 yards last season in 15 games, but he is a candidate to fill a "gadget" role left behind by Deebo Samuel Sr., who was traded to the Washington Commanders this offseason. With Ricky Pearsall (hamstring) and Brandon Aiyuk (knee) sidelined to begin camp, depth is becoming a concern for the San Fran WR room.
Jul 23, 2025 3:30 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jacob Cowing had a quiet rookie season after being selected in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Arizona. The 24-year-old produced just four receptions for 80 yards and rushed once for seven yards. Otherwise, he did the majority of his work as a punt returner. Entering 2025, Deebo Samuel Sr. is now with the Washington Commanders, and Brandon Aiyuk (knee) is likely to miss the start of the new campaign. According to Vic Tafur of The Athletic, Cowing has a chance to earn touches in Kyle Shanahan's offense. "[Cowing] could take a lot of the departed Deebo Samuel's gadget plays. The 49ers like his toughness, speed, and nose for yards after the catch," Tafur wrote. "Cowing added more weight in the offseason to his once 168-pound frame to handle sweeps and other running plays. He looked sharp at offseason workouts and, with Brandon Aiyuk still sidelined, could carve out an important role at training camp." Add in the fact that Jauan Jennings has requested a new deal or to be traded, and Cowing is now slightly on the fantasy football radar. That said, he's more of a deep-league flier or best ball dart throw. For now, he should be left on the waiver wire in traditional 12-team setups.
Jul 15, 2025 3:38 PM EST
The Athletic's Matt Barrows writes that one of the themes among coaches and players this spring was that nobody took better advantage of the offseason than San Francisco 49ers second-year wide receiver Jacob Cowing. The 24-year-old was selected 135th overall (fourth round) last year but had a minimal role, catching just four passes for 80 yards in 15 games (zero starts). However, he trained with quarterback Brock Purdy and receiver Ricky Pearsall (hamstring) early in the offseason and had a prominent role during spring practices. It helped that Pearsall, Brandon Aiyuk (knee) and Jauan Jennings (calf) were sidelined, but it's notable nonetheless. Cowing has great speed and is doing a better job of maintaining it throughout his cuts and breaks. He's good with the ball in his hands and could be a nice little gadget player in 2025, although it's unlikely to amount to much fantasy value.
Jun 13, 2025 12:14 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle recently said he was impressed that wide receiver Jacob Cowing, who weighed 168 pounds at last year's scouting combine, added more weight in the offseason. Cowing also trained with quarterback Brock Purdy in Jacksonville and Arizona this offseason, signaling he wasn't happy with a 2024 rookie season in which he was used sparingly on offense. The 24-year-old only caught four passes last year, but The Athletic's Matt Barrows thinks he should be an asset on quick-hitters and jet sweeps that went to Deebo Samuel Sr. in recent years. The former fourth-rounder (135th overall) out of Arizona could have a bigger role early in the 2025 season with Brandon Aiyuk (knee) rehabbing an injury and Demarcus Robinson facing a potential suspension, but for now, Cowing will just be one to keep an eye on during training camp.
May 28, 2025 1:41 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jacob Cowing will see an uptick in snaps this Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals in a road tilt. The rookie has been used sparingly in 2024 -- recording just two receptions and 50 yards in 11 appearances. However, he projects to see an elevated role in the offense with fellow wideout Deebo Samuel Sr. (rib, wrist) ruled inactive for the contest. Cowing has managed only 56 snaps in his debut campaign but was productive during his time at college -- breaking out in his third season with UTEP (104.2 YPG) before transferring to Arizona and notching two 85+ catch seasons. With QB Brock Purdy (elbow) set to sit, Joshua Dobbs will man the 49ers helm, so it isn't ideal for the 23-year-old wideout. Still, tight end George Kittle (ankle) is also dealing with an injury and is questionable for the matchup. Cowing could have a busy day in the team's season finale if Kittle sits. Though, he still won't be a recommended option. The former fourth-round pick comes in at RotoBaller's PPR WR87 in this week's rankings.
Jan 4, 2025 9:25 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver/kick returner Jacob Cowing (concussion) was unable to clear the league's concussion protocol and has been ruled out for Week 12 versus the Green Bay Packers. Cowing suffered his concussion in last Sunday's loss to the division-rival Seattle Seahawks and will now be hoping to clear the concussion protocol next week in order to face the Buffalo Bills in Week 13. Unexpectedly, the 23-year-old has mostly factored in on special teams (returning punts) in his first year in the NFL, despite Brandon Aiyuk (knee) being lost for the season. In nine games in 2024, the Arizona product only has two receptions on three targets for 50 yards. With Cowing out of action this Sunday at Lambeau Field, Ronnie Bell will most likely serve as the team's punt returner.
Nov 22, 2024 6:32 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers rookie Jacob Cowing should see some involvement at wide receiver when the team hosts the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night. The fourth-rounder spent the first weeks of the season on the active roster returning punts before seeing his first career offensive action in Week 7. He delivered two catches on three targets for 50 yards against Kansas City, which led all 49ers receivers with Jauan Jennings (hip) out, and Deebo Samuel Sr. (illness/wrist) and Brandon Aiyuk (knee) leaving the game early. Cowing's fantasy value this week hinges on the health of Samuel Sr. and George Kittle (foot). If both play, Cowing is a touchdown-dependent shot in the dark and not recommended in standard leagues. But if both miss, he becomes the second in line for targets behind fellow rookie Ricky Pearsall, with 2023 seventh-round pick Ronnie Bell and journeyman Chris Conley in the mix. WR-desperate fantasy managers in deeper leagues are advised to keep an eye out and consider Cowing if the 49ers get more bad injury news this weekend.
Oct 26, 2024 3:43 AM EST
San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Jacob Cowing got his first career action in the passing game during a 28-18 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. The fourth-round pick had seen most of his work this year as a punt returner but became involved in the offense when Brandon Aiyuk (knee) and Deebo Samuel Sr. (illness) left near the end of the first half, and with Jauan Jennings already having been ruled out earlier in the week. Cowing finished with two receptions for 50 yards on three targets. One of those receptions was an important-at-the-time 41-yard fourth-quarter bomb. If Aiyuk's injury is a torn ACL as feared, Cowing will be a deep-league waiver target -- along with fellow rookie Ricky Pearsall. Pearsall has the long-term edge over Cowing based on Pearsall's first-round pedigree, but Cowing had a more impactful day and Pearsall hadn't played an NFL snap until today, including preseason. San Francisco will host the Dallas Cowboys in Week 8 on Sunday Night Football.
Oct 21, 2024 2:51 AM EST
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jacob Cowing (shoulder) is questionable to return to Sunday's meeting versus the New England Patriots. The rookie hasn't done anything to benefit fantasy managers. However, his potential absence isn't ideal for a Niners' offense that has dealt with plenty of injuries over the last few weeks. With that said, there should be an update on his condition soon.
Sep 29, 2024 6:48 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Jacob Cowing led the team in receiving -- and all-purpose yards -- during a 16-10 win over the New Orleans Saints in Santa Clara on Sunday night. The fourth-round pick caught four of five targets for 51 yards while adding a 19-yard carry in his first NFL action. Cowing, an Arizona native, was profiled as a fast and agile but undersized flanker after spending the early part of his college career at UTEP before transferring back home to U of A. He appears to have a good chance to make the team but he'll have to continue earning it, as there is currently a vigorous competition involving many challengers in the 49ers' receiving room. Cowing is unlikely to make a fantasy impact in 2024.
Aug 19, 2024 2:02 AM EST
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jacob Cowing (hamstring) is expected to be out roughly 10 days as he deals with a hamstring injury, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. It's a bummer for the rookie fourth-round pick as he looks to earn a role in one of the best offenses in the NFL. The Arizona product posted 175 receptions for 1,882 yards and 20 touchdowns in his final two collegiate seasons and was viewed as a great value pick by the 49ers in April. Hopefully, he'll recover on time and take part in preseason action this offseason. Either way, he is unlikely to be on the fantasy football radar this season in a crowded wide receiver room consisting of Deebo Samuel Sr., Brandon Aiyuk, and Ricky Pearsall. If Aiyuk eventually gets traded before Week 1, Cowing has an outside chance to post a few fantasy-friendly weeks. For now, he can be ignored in 12-team fantasy drafts.
Jul 29, 2024 4:54 PM EST
Copyright 2025 Fantasy Football Calculator | Image Source: Icon Sportswire. Not affiliated with the National Football League (NFL).
Stats powered by FantasyData.com.
