For the second straight year, the San Francisco 49ers‘ season has been defined by injuries. This time around, though, the team has managed to weather the storm, as their 9-4 record currently has them in position to earn a wild-card spot in the NFC playoff picture. While the players deserve their fair share of credit, it’s clear that head coach Kyle Shanahan has done some of his best work this season.
Case in point, the Niners still aren’t fully healthy, but that hasn’t stopped them from winning games. One guy who hasn’t played all season is second-year wide receiver Jacob Cowing, who’s been dealing with a lingering hamstring injury. Some folks have speculated that there may be another reason for Cowing’s season-long absence, but Shanahan cleared the air on his status ahead of the team’s Week 15 action.
Kyle Shanahan Issues Jacob Cowing Injury Update
San Francisco’s offense has never been at full strength this season, and it doesn’t look like they ever will after reports have indicated Brandon Aiyuk has left the team. Beyond his season-long absence, several key players, such as Brock Purdy, George Kittle, Jauan Jennings, and Ricky Pearsall, have missed time with injuries this year.
Had he been healthy, that would have opened the door for Cowing to make an impact. A fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Cowing didn’t play much as a rookie, as he caught just four passes for 80 yards in 15 games. However, he is a burner who can make big plays on the outside, and the Niners were excited to see what he could do this season.
Instead, Cowing has spent the entire season on injured reserve thanks to his aforementioned hamstring injury. The team hasn’t provided many updates on his status, and his practice window hasn’t even been opened to this point. Shanahan revealed that Cowing is making progress, but he still hasn’t shown enough to indicate that he’s ready to return to the field.
“As soon as he’s back to full health, we’ll open up his window,” Shanahan said of Cowing. “He’s not quite there yet, but he’s getting close. He’s gotta pass a few more markers.”
49ers Looking to Continue Playoff Push in Week 15
Ian Maule/GettyLAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 16: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers looks on prior to a game of the NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on August 16, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)
At this stage of the game, the Niners don’t seem to be in a rush to get Cowing back, largely because they don’t really have a spot for him on the 53-man roster. The team has managed to make do without him for the entire season, though, so it won’t be much of a blow if he ends up being unable to play at all this year.
The guys who are healthy and able to play for San Francisco will look to continue helping the team win. The Niners draw a favorable matchup against the two-win Tennessee Titans in Week 15, and assuming they don’t have a catastrophic meltdown, they should be able to come out on top. Kickoff for this contest is scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday afternoon.
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