SANTA CLARA — For better or worse, timing is everything in football.
Chris Conley had established himself as a reliable receiver throughout training camp for the 49ers and looked positioned to be a depth piece while the team deals with injuries to Ray-Ray McCloud (wrist surgery) and Danny Gray (shoulder).
Unfortunately, Conley’s pièce de résistance may have also been his undoing. With two minutes left in the first half of Friday’s 23-12 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in the final preseason matchup, Conley hauled in a diving 34-yard catch down the right sideline but was subsequently ruled out with a shoulder injury.
“It’s just part of the game, man,” Conley told 95.7 The Game. “Great ball by Sam, great call. Just lucky enough to be able to make a play.”
Conley struggled to put on his T-shirt at his locker after the game and winced in pain once he got dressed. By the time he left the locker room, Conley’s left arm was wrapped in a sling and admitted he was in some pain.
“Just a little bit,” Conley said sarcastically.
The 49ers signed Conley to a one-year deal this offseason after he split time with the Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans last year. Though he's never topped 530 receiving yards in a season during his eight-year career, Conley showed good hands and the ability to get separation throughout camp.
The 30-year-old landed hard on his left shoulder and it’s safe to assume that’s when he injured himself, but Conley didn’t want to get into details.
“I don’t talk about injuries, ‘A’. But, B, we don’t know,” Conley said. “We’ll have more information later.”
Knock on wood, the 49ers’ top trio of receivers Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings appear to have made it through the preseason without injury. But Conley’s absence opened up more opportunities for 6-foot-4, 213-pound rookie Isaiah Winstead, who made a couple of nice catches for 32 yards.
Another competitor on the depth chart, veteran Willie Snead, caught a 6-yard touchdown from Sam Darnold in the third quarter. And don’t forget about rookie Ronnie Bell, who had a quiet night Friday but can be a threat as a receiver and return man.
We’ll have to see how Conley feels Saturday, but don’t be surprised if he’s unavailable when the 49ers begin the season on Sept. 10. The roster cutdown day to 53 men is on Tuesday. Once again, the wide receiver position’s depth will be tested.
“I’ve just been trying to put my best foot forward and be what the team needs me to be,” Conley said. “No expectations. Just going out there and competing and this is a good group to do that with, because that’s all they know – is competition.”
