The 49ers didn’t land on Keenan Allen right away. Before San Francisco closed in on the veteran receiver, general manager John Lynch said the team had first zeroed in on Indianapolis Colts wideout Josh Downs.
Lynch laid out the path on KNBR, explaining that Downs was the early focus before Allen started to draw more and more attention from the organization. In the end, San Francisco decided Allen was the better fit for Kyle Shanahan’s offense and the current state of the receiving room.
That shift adds a little more texture to a pursuit that had already been reported. Lynch’s comments make clear the 49ers cast a wide net while searching for help at receiver.
They checked on other names, too. San Francisco reportedly reached out on New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson, though the Jets were never serious about moving their top player.
The 49ers also checked in on Evan Engram, who plays tight end for the Denver Broncos. But Allen became the target they ultimately wanted to bring in.
Lynch has long shown he’s willing to make aggressive moves when he thinks the roster can be improved, especially with a Super Bowl run in mind. The 49ers have been close during his tenure, and adding another proven pass catcher fits that mindset.
Allen gives Shanahan another established option in the passing game, while the team’s early interest in Downs shows just how thoroughly it explored the market before making its choice.
San Francisco now turns to Sunday afternoon’s Week 10 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.
In Other News...
Colts Secondary Finally Gets A Lift Before A Crucial Dolphins Test
The Colts finally got a little relief in the secondary this week, with defensive backs Justin Walley and A.J. Haulcy both returning to full participation in practice. For a defense that has been managing a long injury list, getting two defensive backs back on the field at least gives Indianapolis a better chance to sort through its coverage options before a matchup that could demand it.
There is still plenty for the Colts to monitor, though, with several players limited or sidelined and edge defender Arden Key just beginning his 21-day practice window after a hamstring injury. Miami has its own availability issues heading into the game, including starter Aaron Brewer being ruled out and Chris Bell also on the injury report, so both teams are walking into this one with some uncertainty still hanging over the roster. [Read more 🡒]
Colts Fans Will Want To See Why San Francisco Pivoted Away
A receiver shuffle out in San Francisco has a familiar name tied to it, and Colts fans will recognize why it matters. Kyle Shanahan said Mike Evans is close to returning from Achilles tendinitis, but the 49ers are taking a cautious approach with his recovery after he missed multiple games and landed on the week-to-week list. It is the kind of update that explains why a team can talk itself into patience even when help seems close.
Keenan Allens arrival adds another layer to the picture, especially after Shanahan had previously floated him as a trade target while the 49ers were initially linked to Josh Downs. For Indianapolis, it is a reminder of how quickly the market can shift when a contender decides it wants a proven veteran instead of waiting on a different fit. The Colts may not control what San Francisco does next, but they will certainly notice how the 49ers chose to pivot. [Read more 🡒]
Colts Suddenly Have A New Fantasy Name Fans Should Notice
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For Colts fans, the name worth noticing is Alec Pierce, who fits neatly into that kind of environment. The analysis around this weeks player pool points to favorable defensive vulnerabilities and the chance for expanded involvement, which is exactly the sort of setup that can turn a secondary option into a useful fantasy play. It is not a glamorous storyline, but in a week defined by absences and shifting target shares, Pierce has become the kind of receiver DFS players tend to circle when they are hunting for a little edge. [Read more 🡒]