49ers erupt as WR Manningham scores an elusive TD
San Francisco 49ers receivers have had a tough go of it in 2013. Michael Crabtree has been out with a torn Achilles and Marion Manningham has been sidelined since last December with a torn ACL and PCL in his left knee.
49ers receivers – not named Anquan Boldin – have had a grand total of 14 catches for 135-yards this season with no touchdowns. Boldin ranks first on the team with 34 catches for 495-yards and 2 TDs and tight end Vernon Davis ranks second with 26 receptions for 466-yards and 6 TDs.
While quarterback Colin Kaepernick may target those two more often than others, and rightfully so, the lackluster numbers of the other receivers points to the lack of depth at the position and a need for a boost as defenses key on his top two targets.
San Francisco ranks 3rd in the NFL in rushing yards per game at 143.3, but 31st in passing yards at 191.7. While they are a run oriented type of offense, getting Kap more targets will certainly aid in improving the passing yardage.
Mario Manningham returned from the PUP list last week and has begun practice. According to a report from CSNBayArea.com’s Matt Maiocco, he caught a pass for a touchdown from Kaepernick and the team went wild.
“(Alex) Boone and everybody else decided it was time to have an eruption,” 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman said, according to the report. “We all had a celebration on the field.
“They didn’t physically lift him up, but everybody just went nuts, welcoming him back.”
With Manningham and Crabtree coming back in relatively short order – considering the 49ers have a bye following their game this week against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London – that boost is on the way.