49ers' Travis Benjamin: Not playing against Chicago
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Benjamin (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Bears, Keiana Martin of the 49ers' official site reports.
Benjamin's inactive status isn't exactly surprising, as he's played just one game this season while alternating between the practice squad and the active roster. He's buried down the wideout depth chart and is not likely to see the field anytime soon, it seems.
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49ers' Travis Benjamin: Inactive for Sunday Night Football
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Benjamin (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's contest against the Colts.
Benjamin was promoted to the active roster from the practice squad ahead of the 49ers' Week 5 matchup against the Cardinals. The 31-year-old operated as the fourth wideout and played 15 offensive snaps, but he didn't record a catch on three targets. Coming off the Week 6 bye, Jauan Jennings will get the nod over Benjamin on Sunday.
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49ers' Travis Benjamin: Serves as fourth wideout
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Benjamin did not catch any of his three targets in Sunday's 17-10 loss to Arizona.
Benjamin was promoted from the practice squad prior to Sunday's contest, immediately claiming the fourth receiver role (15 offensive snaps). While the speedy veteran did not record a catch, rookie quarterback Trey Lance did look his direction on a couple of deep pass attempts. If Lance is still under center following the team's bye week, his aggressive playing style could result in the occasional big play for Benjamin, but it still wouldn't result in much fantasy value with the current wideout configuration.
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49ers' Travis Benjamin: Promoted from practice squad
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Benjamin was promoted to the 49ers' active roster ahead of Sunday's game against the Cardinals.
Benjamin was suspended for the first two weeks of the 2021 campaign but joined San Francisco's practice squad. If he enters Sunday's matchup, the 31-year-old will be making his first regular-season appearance since 2019.
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Travis Benjamin: Suspended for two weeks
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Benjamin (has been suspended for the two weeks of the season, Field Yates of ESPN reports.
Benjamin started training camp with the Giants and then spent some time with the 49ers before ultimately getting cut. The receiver has now been tacked with a two-game suspension that will limit Benjamin if he is able to sign with a new team.
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Travis Benjamin: Cut loose by 49ers
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Benjamin (concussion) was released by the 49ers on Tuesday, Chris Biderman of The Sacramento Bee reports.
Benjamin suffered a concussion during the preseason finale against the Raiders. He received his walking papers Tuesday, and he'll be eligible to sign with another team once he's healthy. The 31-year-old wide receiver hasn't played since the 2019 season when he posted six receptions for 30 yards across five games with the Chargers.
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49ers' Travis Benjamin: Picks up concussion
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Benjamin exited Sunday's preseason game against the Raiders due to a concussion, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Benjamin thus finishes exhibition season with two catches (on six targets) for 24 yards and one touchdown and three punt returns for 34 yards in three contests. It remains to be seen if he did enough to make the regular-season roster, but due to the banged-up nature of the 49ers' group of wide receivers, he still may remain employed with the team beyond cut-down day Tuesday.
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49ers' Travis Benjamin: Opting out of 2020 season
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Benjamin announced Tuesday that he intends to opt out of the 2020 campaign, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
Prior to opting out, Benjamin appeared on track to compete for a key early season role in San Francisco's receiver corps due to Deebo Samuel (foot) and Richie James (wrist) both nursing injuries. The 30-year-old has proven effective as a deep threat and No. 3 contributor across his eight-year career, but he was held to just six catches with the Chargers in 2019.
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49ers' Travis Benjamin: Injuries could create opportunities
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Benjamin (quadriceps) could see more opportunities in training camp following to injuries to Deebo Samuel (foot) and Richie James (wrist), Doug Williams of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Neither wideout has been ruled out for the start of the season, but with both sidelined for at least two months there's a real possibility that ends up being the case. Benjamin signed on a one-year deal in March after catching only 18 passes for 216 yards and one touchdown in 17 games for the Chargers over the past two seasons. The 30-year-old will potentially see more practice reps with starting QB Jimmy Garoppolo as a result of the injuries, but he still figures to be in competition with Jalen Hurd, Dante Pettis and Trent Taylor.
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49ers' Travis Benjamin: Inks deal with Niners
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Benjamin (quadriceps) is signing a one-year contract with the 49ers, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
The 30-year-old joins a crowded wideout depth chart in San Francisco, where Deebo Samuel is the only sure-thing starter but Kendrick Bourne, Trent Taylor (foot), Dante Pettis, Marquise Goodwin (knee), Richie James and Jalen Hurd (back) could all be in the mix for snaps. Benjamin may thus find himself battling for a roster spot, depending on what happens with injuries, cuts and trades in the coming months. He spent the past four seasons with the Chargers but was unable to recapture the magic of his 2015 breakout season in Cleveland.
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Chargers' Travis Benjamin: Won't re-sign with Chargers
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Benjamin (quad) and the Chargers have agreed to part ways, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Benjamin made it through the entirety of a four-year, $24 million contract, agreeing to a restructure last April to stay with the team for another season. After seeing just 24 targets in 12 games during the 2018 campaign, Benjamin was limited to 16 targets in five games in 2019, with a quad injury sending him to injured reserve in October. The 30-year-old wide receiver has never come close to matching his 966-yard season with Cleveland in 2015, and he hasn't played much of a role in the return game since 2017. Benjamin may need to battle for a 53-man roster spot at his next NFL stop.
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Chargers' Travis Benjamin: Lands on IR
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Benjamin (quad) has been placed on IR.
Benjamin hasn't produced much while working behind Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, but his injury is another hit to the Chargers' depth at wideout and will likely necessitate a move to fortify the position. Currently next up on the depth chart behind the team's top duo are Geremy Davis and Andre Patton.
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Chargers' Travis Benjamin: Nothing doing in loss
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Benjamin caught one of four targets for no gain during Sunday's 24-17 loss to the Steelers.
Benjamin hasn't yet scored or surpassed 15 receiving yards in a contest this season. As an afterthought in the Chargers' offense behind Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler, Benjamin remains off the fantasy radar.
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Chargers' Travis Benjamin: Still a non factor
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Benjamin (hip) caught one of his two targets for 13 yards in the 20-13 loss Sunday to the Broncos.
Playing just 40 offensive snaps, Benjamin was clearly the Chargers' third option at wideout, easily outpacing Andre Patton (16 snaps) in terms of playing time, however that led to little in the way of actual production, registering a fourth consecutive game under 20 receiving yards. It's hard to suggest Benjamin's fantasy outlook will improve, particularly with Mike Williams (back) on the mend and Melvin Gordon back from his early-season holdout.
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Chargers' Travis Benjamin: Listed as active Sunday
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Benjamin (hip) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Broncos.
As is Mike Williams (back), which sets the stage for Benjamin to serve as the Chargers' No. 3 receiver Sunday. The 5-foot-10, 175-pounder can break off the occasional big play, but he's logged just four catches on 10 targets for 17 yards in his three games to date this season, despite recording 30 or more snaps in each of those contests.
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Chargers' Travis Benjamin: Trending in right direction
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Benjamin (hip) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Broncos.
Benjamin was a full participant in practice Friday, which bodes well for his game-time status. Considering Mike Williams (back) was also able to practice in full capacity, it appears as if the Chargers will have their top three wide receivers available, likely relegating Benjamin to his customary complementary role. He's seen just 10 targets across three games despite playing 30 or more snaps in each contest.
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Chargers' Travis Benjamin: Limited second straight day
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Benjamin (hip) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.
Benjamin was also limited in Wednesday's session, so he may need to advance to full participation in Friday's practice in order for the Chargers to feel more bullish on his chances of suiting up Sunday against the Broncos. If cleared to play this weekend, Benjamin should be in store for another healthy snap count as a complementary option in the passing game behind top target Keenan Allen.
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Chargers' Travis Benjamin: Listed as limited Wednesday
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Benjamin (hip) was limited at practice Wednesday.
Mike Williams (back) was also limited Wednesday, which suggests that the duo could return to provide top wideout Keenan Allen with some support in the team's pass-catching corps Sunday against the Broncos. That would be a welcome development, given that Dontrelle Inman -- who helped fill in for Benjamin and Williams in Week 4 -- has landed on IR with a quadriceps injury.
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Chargers' Travis Benjamin: Sitting Sunday
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Benjamin (hip) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Dolphins.
Benjamin was given a doubtful designation coming out of Friday's practice, so he was never a good bet to suit up in Week 4. With Benjamin and Mike Williams (back) sidelined, the likes of Dontrelle Inman, Geremy Davis and Andre Patton should be pressed into more enhanced roles alongside top wideout Keenan Allen.
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Chargers' Travis Benjamin: Slated to sit out Week 4
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Benjamin (hip), who is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, isn't in line to play, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
The doubtful designation already made it unlikely that Benjamin wouldn't play Week 4, but Schefter's report adds further confirmation on that front. Though Benjamin hasn't made a major impact on offense this season, his absence looms larger than it normally might with fellow wideout Mike Williams (back), tight ends Virgil Green (groin) and Hunter Henry (knee) and running back Justin Jackson (calf) already ruled out for the contest.
