Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk didn’t practice, so Jauan Jennings was the no. 1 target on the field. Not just the no. 1 receiver — the no. 1 option. He caught four passes while George Kittle caught three.
Jennings has improved so much the past couple years.
He’s an elite blocker and an outstanding route runner for such a big wide receiver.
He could be a quality no. 2 receiver on lots of teams. He needs at least 50 targets this season.
He was the second-best wide receiver on the field after Jennings. Bell caught three passes and gained 10 yards on an end around. On his first catch, he caught a hospital ball over the middle from Joshua Dobbs.
Bell was running a dig route and Dobbs’ pass was high and behind him. So Bell stopped, jumped, caught the ball, got hit, landed on his back, got the wind knocked out of him and stayed in practice.
On his second catch, he beat Renardo Green with a curl route for a 10-yard gain. And on his final catch, he beat Fred Warner during a scramble drill for another 10-yard gain.
Bell has to make the team. He is at least as good as rookie first-round pick Ricky Pearsall.
