The San Francisco 49ers are making a significant change by replacing Jacob Cowing as their starting punt returner after a slow start to the season. Although this move doesn’t necessarily affect his role within the offense, it reflects the team’s desire for more reliability in the punt return game.
In a surprising decision, head coach Kyle Shanahan announced that Kyle Juszczyk, the team’s fullback, will take over as the starting punt returner for the rest of the year. Shanahan acknowledged that punt returning is a challenging task, especially for someone who hasn’t regularly done it. Despite this, Juszczyk, known for his versatility, expressed confidence in his ability to take on the role, aiming to not only fair catch but also create opportunities to break tackles and make plays in the return game.
Shanahan’s trust in Juszczyk’s abilities speaks to the veteran fullback’s skill set and leadership on the team, as the 49ers look for stability and consistency in special teams.
Kyle Juszczyk stepping in after Jacob Cowing’s shoulder issue and returning the punt for 8 yards instead of just securing a fair catch showcases his desire to make the most of his opportunity. Even though Juszczyk is primarily a fullback, his versatility and football instincts helped him turn a replacement role into a productive return. It’ll be interesting to see if he continues to take a more active role in punt returns moving forward, especially with Cowing recovering.
49ers Rookie Muffed Punt in Week 2
Jacob Cowing’s struggles as a punt returner, including a muffed punt in his NFL debut against the Vikings, have been part of why the 49ers made the switch to Kyle Juszczyk. While Cowing has averaged only 5.3 yards per return and has had six total returns, Shanahan initially backed him despite the early hiccup, expressing confidence in his ability. After the Week 2 muffed punt, Shanahan pointed out Cowing’s natural catching abilities in practice and reiterated that the team had long-term plans for him, but the struggles have led to the recent change at punt returner.
The 49ers may still see a future for Cowing in special teams, but for now, Juszczyk seems to be the more reliable option.
Juszczyk’s Seeing Uptick in Utilization
Kyle Juszczyk’s increased involvement in the 49ers’ offense this season highlights his versatility. With 7 catches for 77 yards already through four games, he is on pace to match his career-high in receptions from 2017. His current average of 19.25 receiving yards per game could result in a career-best 327 yards, showcasing his value not just as a blocker but as a reliable pass-catcher for San Francisco. This expanded role adds another dimension to the 49ers’ offense.