San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mario Manninghambelieves he will return from surgery to repair his anterior cruciate and posterior cruciate ligaments by the start of the regular season. His coach isn't so sure.
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When asked if Manningham would be ready for the regular season, Jim Harbaugh answered "at some point." At this point, it would not be a surprise if Manningham starts the season on the physically unable to perform list.
With Manningham, Michael Crabtree and Kyle Williams rehabbing injuries, 2012 first-round draft pick A.J. Jenkins is taking advantage of the vacancy opposite Anquan Boldin.
"A.J., I thought, the last two days of last week had the best two days he's had since I've been here," 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman said Tuesday, via Comcast SportsNet Bay Area. "(He) just made some clutch catches for us when we were moving the ball, just made plays. (He) did all the right things and made plays when he had the opportunity. And he needs to continue to do that."
Now that he understands the 49ers' offense after a redshirt rookie season, Jenkins appears to have a leg up on Ricardo Lockette and rookie Quinton Patton for the Week 1 starting job. If Jenkins impresses early in the season, Manningham could find himself out of a job once Crabtree returns.
Follow Chris Wesseling on Twitter @ChrisWesseling.
