49ers take hit as Robinson sits Week 1

Robinson will miss Week 1 against the Seahawks after an NFL suspension tied to a substance policy violation.

49ers suspend Demarcus Robinson after DUI case

Demarcus Robinson will miss the opening three games of the San Francisco 49ers season after the NFL suspended him for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. The veteran receiver pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor DUI charge and was sentenced to probation, a combination that produced the league’s disciplined response. San Francisco confirmed the suspension ahead of a Week 1 matchup at Seattle, leaving the 49ers short-handed at wide receiver to start the season.

The situation compounds a tricky start for a unit already dealing with injuries and turnover. Brandon Aiyuk is not expected to be ready for Week 1 after last year’s ACL and MCL injuries, Jauan Jennings has been sidelined by a calf issue, and rookie depth is untested at game speed. The team did not stand still, however, trading for Skyy Moore from Kansas City just days before the season opener, hoping his return game tape translates into immediate production in a new offense. Moore’s arrival comes after a productive stint in practice and a highlight play against Seattle in a recent preseason moment, giving San Francisco a faster path to a viable three-receiver setup.

The suspension exposes the fragile balance of a 49ers roster built on depth and speed. San Francisco must lean on coaching ingenuity and a quick-read offense to compensate for missing a primary target early in the schedule. If Moore can adapt quickly, the offense can maintain its pace and playmaking threat, but the challenge is real: a new receiver in a new system, facing early-season pressure and a Seahawks defense that knows the division well. This episode also tests the franchise’s stance on off-field issues and how fans respond to discipline that arrives in a high-stakes cycle of wins and losses. In short, this is not just a personnel hiccup but a stress test for discipline, trust, and long-term planning.

If the 49ers can blend Moore into a productive role while others step up, they can keep their big-play potential intact. If not, the offense may lean more on sequence- and run-based concepts while the receiving group rebuilds its cohesion under a tight schedule and growing expectations.

Highlights

The season will test how quickly the 49ers can translate roster moves into on-field consistency.