INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Jauan Jennings saves his biggest games for when he faces the Los Angeles Rams.
With three of the San Francisco 49ers’ top skill players sidelined, Jennings had the best game of his four-year career with 11 receptions for 175 yards and three touchdowns in a 27-24 loss to the Rams on Sunday.
“He’s a dog, man. I absolutely love Jauan,” quarterback Brock Purdy said. “The way he comes in every day and then brings the energy to our offense with some huge plays and sparks energy, and just his love for the game, man, you can see it, and you feel it when you’re on the field with him.”
Jennings became the third receiver in Niners history to finish with double-digit catches, three TDs and at least 175 yards.
It was the most receiving yards in a game so far this season and a windfall for fantasy players with the foresight to start him. The Niners were missing missing All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey, wide receiver Deebo Samuel and tight end George Kittle because of injuries.
Jennings declined to speak with reporters in the locker room after his standout performance.
He had scored only two touchdowns in his last 31 games before his trifecta on Sunday.
Jennings gave San Francisco a 7-0 lead on the opening drive when he was wide open in the end zone on a go route for a 15-yard score. Purdy and Jennings connected again late in the first quarter on a 4-yard TD on an out route to put the Niners up by 14.
Jennings extended the lead to 21-7 midway through the third quarter when he got separation from Rams safety Kamren Kinchens and scored from 31 yards out.
“Jauan was unbelievable. I mean, I think the numbers show it, but more than the numbers, he was a warrior the whole game. Got a lot more opportunities today, and was automatic on every single one,” coach Kyle Shanahan said. “Even some bad looks, when I didn’t know if the ball should go there, you quickly saw after that they weren’t going to take that away from Jauan. He was very inspiring today, how he played.”
In one game, Jennings eclipsed the season totals for fellow Niners wideout Brandon Aiyuk, who has 11 receptions for 119 yards and no touchdowns after signing a four-year, $120 million contract extension.
Jennings’ most impressive catch was a leaping 32-yard grab over Rams safety Quentin Lake late in the thrid quarter to set up a field goal that put the Niners ahead 24-14.
Five of Jennings’ 10 regular-season touchdowns have come in two games against the Rams. He scored twice in the 2021 season finale, when he had six catches for 94 yards.
Jennings’ efforts weren’t enough to overcome the 49ers’ breakdowns on special teams.
Ronnie Rivers converted a first down on a fake punt in the second quarter, which led to the Rams’ first touchdown.
“That fake punt changed momentum in the game. We had a chance to run away with it and not give them hope,” Shanahan said.
The Rams’ last 10 points in the final three minutes of the fourth quarter also followed special teams mistakes.
Kyren Williams’ 4-yard touchdown, which tied it at 21-all, came three plays after Jake Moody was wide left on a 53-yard field goal.
The Niners then allowed a 38-yard punt return by Xavier Smith to midfield. The Rams drove to the Niners 19-yard line, where Jason Karty made the go-ahead, 37-yard field goal.
San Francisco is 1-2 for the second time in three years. Shanahan pointed to the Niners’ three-game skid after winning five straight last season as an example of how his team can overcome an early deficit.
Seattle (3-0) leads the NFC West while San Francisco, Los Angeles and Arizona are 1-2.
“We’re in a hole now and we’ve got to dig out,” defensive end Nick Bosa said. “We have to understand what teams are trying to do to us and adjust to it.”
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