The 49ers' WR Room Is a Medical Journal, So They Traded for Keenan Allen
With Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, and three other receivers sidelined by injuries, the San Francisco 49ers hit the panic button and traded for veteran Keenan Allen.
HotTakes Editorial TeamUpdated 1 min read
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The San Francisco 49ers' wide receiver room currently looks like a triage tent outside a Civil War reenactment. ESPN's Adam Schefter just dropped an injury list so long it requires a scroll wheel, ending with the ultimate plot twist: San Francisco is trading for veteran Keenan Allen.
When your depth chart gets wiped out by a biblical plague of lower-body injuries, you do not have time to develop a rookie. You call the Indianapolis Colts and you order a route-running machine who already knows how to get open on third down.
"Adam Schefter tweeted the laundry list of 49ers injuries, ending with 'Enter Keenan Allen.'"
Let us do the math on this disaster class. Mike Evans is dealing with an Achilles issue and fractured ribs, missing the last two games. Deebo Samuel has missed three games with a bad hamstring. Christian Kirk is on injured reserve with a torn meniscus, De'Zhaun Stribling is out with an ankle injury until at least December, and Ricky Pearsall is done for the year with a PCL tear.
That is not a football roster. That is a medical journal. The 49ers are currently relying on guys who probably had to introduce themselves to quarterback Brock Purdy in the huddle. Bringing in Allen is the front office hitting the emergency glass because you cannot run a modern NFL offense when your top five targets are watching the game in walking boots.
Oddsmakers are going to have a headache pricing San Francisco's passing props this week. Allen is going to walk off a plane, learn three passing concepts, and immediately see double-digit targets just because he is the only guy in the building with two functioning legs.
The 49ers just blew out the Las Vegas Raiders 38-17, but the schedule is not going to wait for their training staff to perform miracles. Allen gives them an immediate safety blanket to keep the chains moving while they pray Evans or Samuel can actually suit up before the playoffs.
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Mike Evans missed last 2 games (Achilles/ribs)
Deebo Samuel missed last 3 games (hamstring)
Christian Kirk (meniscus), De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle), and Ricky Pearsall (PCL) all on IR or out for season
49ers recently beat Raiders 38-17
What's next
Allen is expected to immediately step in as the primary target while the 49ers hope Evans or Samuel can return to the field soon.

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