49ers’ Demarcus Robinson Suspended: How Will San Francisco Cope?
By Jason Bolton August 23, 2025 16:56
The San Francisco 49ers will face the opening three games of their 2025 NFL season without veteran wide receiver Demarcus Robinson due to a league-imposed suspension. This development came after Robinson pleaded no contest last month to a misdemeanor DUI charge stemming from an arrest in November 2024. Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed Robinson's three-game ban on the team’s flagship radio station KNBR, leaving the 49ers scrambling to fill a significant gap in their receiving corps early in the campaign.
Robinson’s suspension stems from violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, connected to the DUI charge. The 30-year-old receiver was stopped by California Highway Patrol officers in November after reportedly driving over 100 mph and showing signs of intoxication. He received a sentence of three years’ probation and a $390 fine. This is Robinson’s first suspension related to off-field conduct since entering the league in 2016.
San Francisco signed Robinson to a two-year, $9.5 million contract in free agency this offseason was intended to bolster an already thin receiver group. Robinson, a former Kansas City Chiefs player and a Super Bowl winner in 2019, caught 31 passes for 505 yards and seven touchdowns last season with the Los Angeles Rams. His addition promised to bring veteran savvy and playmaking ability to a unit that lost All-Pro Deebo Samuel in a major offseason trade and remains without Brandon Aiyuk, who is recovering from a season-ending knee injury.
Coach Kyle Shanahan acknowledged the challenges ahead. “We won’t have Demarcus for the first three weeks. You can always appeal, so we hope for the best, but that’s the plan right now,” Shanahan told KNBR. “This affects our depth, no doubt, especially with the injuries we’ve been dealing with at receiver. We’ll have to rely on the next man up”.
The 49ers’ wide receiver room has indeed been hit hard by injuries and uncertainties. Early in camp, first-round pick Ricky Pearsall suffered a hamstring issue, Jauan Jennings struggled with a calf injury and has voiced trade concerns over his contract status, while rookie Jordan Watkins and Jacob Cowing are both sidelined with ankle and hamstring injuries, respectively. Additionally, Brandon Aiyuk, expected to be a key contributor, will miss at least the first month of the season.
To mitigate this void, San Francisco quickly moved to trade for Kansas City Chiefs receiver Skyy Moore, a dynamic but inconsistent playmaker, in an effort to bolster their depleted receiving corps prior to the season opener. This acquisition is crucial as the 49ers look to maintain offensive balance amid the uncertainty surrounding Robinson’s suspension and others’ availability.
Statistically, Robinson’s absence removes a polished route-runner and red-zone threat capable of stretching defenses vertically and providing a reliable secondary option for quarterback Brock Purdy or any starter under center. His seven touchdown catches last year ranked him among the top targets in scoring ability, and his presence has been noted for helping draw defensive attention and opening opportunities for teammates.
The 49ers are slated to start their season on the road against the Seattle Seahawks, followed by games at the New Orleans Saints and a home matchup against the Arizona Cardinals all contests where offensive consistency will be vital. Robinson will be eligible to return for Week 4 against the Jacksonville Jaguars if his suspension is upheld.
In summary, Demarcus Robinson’s three-game suspension places added strain on the 49ers’ wide receiver group and offensive game plan entering a competitive 2025 season. Coach Shanahan and general manager John Lynch will lean heavily on newly acquired Skyy Moore and other receivers stepping up to fill the void. Meanwhile, Robinson’s situation underscores the delicate balance teams face managing on-field talent alongside off-field conduct challenges.
As the 49ers navigate the opening stretch without Robinson, they must rely on their depth, coaching ingenuity, and health of other key receivers to remain competitive in the NFC West and aspire for postseason success. The next few weeks will test San Francisco’s resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity.
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