Dante Pettis

Injuries have impacted so many members of the 49ers roster this season. But no other position group has been affected by these issues as the wide receivers. Pierre Garçon was out for another week with a knee injury. Marquise Goodwin had his ailments early in the season.

The rookie second-round pick is Dante Pettis among those to have his progress stunted by injury concerns. Not since the opener with the Minnesota Vikings had Pettis been able to make any tangible impact. But on Sunday he looked back to the player the 49ers expected he would be when they drafted him.

Pettis enjoyed a career-day, catching four passes for 77 yards including the second touchdown of his pro career. On that scoring play, he did an excellent job of faking a route to the outside with a hard jab step, forcing Carlton Davis to open his hips and freeing up the inside for Pettis to break quickly back over the middle and stroll in for the score.

Damn, Dante Pettis might have been watching some @Keenan13Allen film. Hard stick outside left the TB DB scratching for air. pic.twitter.com/4dr0Rh0I3m

— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) November 25, 2018

With Pierre Garcon continuing to battle injuries and Marquise Goodwin away from the team for personal reasons, Pettis appears in line for an increased role down the stretch. The 49ers will likely need to add to their receiving options in the offseason, but Pettis’ ability to engineer separation with his route-running on both intermediate and deep routes makes him a player who should be able to have consistent success, particularly in Shanahan’s offense.

His display against the Buccaneers offered plenty of reason for encouragement. And, if he produces similar outings in the final five games, the Niners will be able to feel even better about a passing game that already has some effective options in the likes of Goodwin and tight end George Kittle.