Since signing wide receiver Demarcus Robinson in March, the San Francisco 49ers have been expecting him to miss the start of the new NFL season because of a suspension linked to a drunk-driving charge.
On Wednesday, head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed on local radio that Robinson has officially been banned for the first three games.
“D-Rob, we’re not going to have through the first three weeks,” Shanahan said. “You can always appeal it, so we’ll hope for the best on that, but that’s what we’re planning for.”
With Robinson set to sit out and injuries piling up in their receiving unit, the 49ers quickly moved to strengthen their squad. They struck a deal with the Kansas City Chiefs to bring in wide receiver Skyy Moore. As part of the trade, the two teams will exchange late-round draft picks for 2027, with San Francisco receiving Moore and a seventh-round pick, while Kansas City gets a sixth-round selection.
Moore, who was drafted by the Chiefs in 2022, has shown flashes of ability, including an 88-yard punt return touchdown in a recent preseason game. However, injuries have hampered his progress, and he finished last season without a single catch.
Robinson’s suspension stems from a November arrest while he was still with the LA Rams. He pleaded no contest to a DUI charge in July. The 49ers were aware of the case when they signed him on a two-year, $9.5 million deal earlier this year.
The 29-year-old has been a consistent performer in training camp, with Shanahan noting that Robinson and youngster Ricky Pearsall have stood out as their most reliable options. Robinson enjoyed his best season yet in 2024, starting all 17 games for the Rams and finishing with career highs of seven touchdowns and 505 receiving yards.
If the suspension stands, Robinson will miss the 49ers’ season opener against the Seattle Seahawks (7 September), followed by matches against the New Orleans Saints and the Arizona Cardinals. He will only be eligible to return in Week 4 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
To make matters worse for the Niners, their receiving corps is riddled with problems. Star man Brandon Aiyuk is sidelined with serious knee injuries and is only expected back around Week 6. Veteran Jauan Jennings is struggling with a calf problem and a contract dispute, while rookies Jordan Watkins (ankle) and Jacob Cowing (hamstring) are also battling to stay fit.
It leaves San Francisco with plenty of uncertainty out wide just weeks before their 2025 campaign kicks off.
Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
