SANTA CLARA — In the 49ers' 34-3 win over the Raiders on Thursday, Kyle Shanahan opted to go with rookie wide receiver Richie James over Trent Taylor, who was a healthy scratch.
During the offseason Taylor had a procedure on his back to remove bone spurs. The team has been careful working him back into the mix slowly. He was inactive on Thursday night, but it appears he was healthy.
When asked why he did not play, coach Shanahan pointed to James’ ability to contribute on special teams.
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SIGN UP HERE “Once Pierre [Garçon] got healthy, we had to decide," Shanahan said. "We were only going to have five receivers up and it really came down to special teams. We’re good with Richie or Trent in the slot. It wasn’t that we went with Richie over Trent in the slot.
"It was that we were good either way and Richie did a few more things for us on special teams.”
Shanahan explained that missing time rehabbing his injury also played a part in the decision.
“I mean, you can ask Trent,” Shanahan said. “I think he’s healthy enough to play. But, I think we all have got to take into account that Trent had back surgery this offseason and back surgery is a big deal, obviously. It really took Trent until a couple weeks before the season to really be full-go.
“So, he got healthy enough to play, but you’ve got to take into account that he missed an entire offseason of working out and preparing himself. Not by his choice. Trent prepares as hard as anyone I’ve been around, but he had some back issues.
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"He’s fighting through that stuff which has made it harder for him, but he’s still good enough to help us out. But yes, he is fighting a little uphill battle with that.”
Taylor had a productive rookie season with 43 receptions for 430 yards and two touchdowns. He was forced into action when Garçon’s season ended on injured reserve. This season, after playing in seven games, he has registered only 18 catches for 138 yards and one touchdown.
James had the third-most snaps of the wide receivers (23) behind Marquise Goodwin (40) and Garcon (37). Kendrick Bourne was in for 12 snaps and Dante Pettis played 11.
What the future holds for Taylor on the field is unknown. The 49ers receiving group is finally at full strength, which makes different combinations possible.
The staff has several days to decide their plan with their next game being a Monday night match up with the New York Giants.