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Jacob Cowing news

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The gist

49ers receiver Jacob Cowing returned from a hip injury and caught a 45-yard pass from Brock.
His roster spot hinges on a tight position battle as preseason Week 2 approaches.

Background

Jacob Cowing, a young wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers, is competing for a roster spot in the 2026 season. He recently returned from a hip flexor injury and has been impressing in training camp, including a standout OTA performance. The 49ers have an unresolved position battle at wide receiver, with Cowing competing against Jordan Watkins for a role.

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 12, 2026Cowing took hard falls during practice, including a diving 45-yard catch from Purdy, and later returned from a hip injury.
  2. Aug 16, 2026Cowing was a full participant in Saturday's practice after recovering from a hip injury.
  3. Aug 17, 2026Cowing had one of the offensive highlights of Sunday's practice, catching a deep pass from Purdy during 11-on-11 work.
  4. Aug 20, 2026Reports indicate Cowing is competing with Jordan Watkins for a roster spot as the 49ers prepare for their second preseason game.

Who’s saying what

Analysts
Cowing is building momentum and could secure a roster spot if he continues to perform.
Caution
The position battle remains undecided, and Cowing's injury history could be a concern.

Still unverified

The exact nature and severity of Cowing's hip injury are not fully detailed in the material.

Sources

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