CMC doubtful for Week 5

Jauan Jennings averaged six offensive snaps over his first seven games. That average has jumped to 30 in the last three. What’s more, it’s clear Jimmy Garoppolo and Kyle Shanahan are gaining trust in him. The 49ers targeted Jennings twice in the deep red zone, and he would have had two touchdowns had his knee hit the ground an inch inside the sideline on the second target. Jennings also was the target on Garoppolo’s first third-down pass — a 21-yard first down — and was worked into the trick play that resulted in a holding penalty on Minnesota’s Patrick Peterson.

Related players: Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel

Jennings began the season as the team's WR5, but could end up at the team's WR2 assuming Samuel (groin) misses at least Week 13. Even when Samuel returns, Jennings could still have a role as Samuel has been used more as a running back over the last couple of weeks.