The 49ers’ WR room has taken hits this year. Brandon Aiyuk is still on the PUP list, and Jauan Jennings missed practice with a calf injury, opening up opportunities for someone like Jordan Watkins . And he delivered, especially when Kyle Shanahan paired him with Brock Purdy in tight-window situations. While veterans like Nick Bosa and Christian McCaffrey provided leadership and energy, and rookies like Alfred Collins and Upton Stout made plays defensively, Watkins’ rising chemistry with Purdy might be the most significant offensive development heading into the August 9 preseason opener.

On a day when the San Francisco 49ers’ offense sputtered under the pressure of Denver ’s first-team defense, it was a late-round rookie who gave fans something to smile about. Wid

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