The San Francisco 49ers have several players looking to rebound from disappointing 2018 seasons. One player in particular is wide receiver Trent Taylor. A year after an impressive rookie season, Taylor took a step backward in every category. He was a dynamic presence on third down in 2017, but struggled to get anything going in 2018.
A year ago, Taylor had surgery on his back, and it became clear he was having issues during the season. Last week, Taylor was in Atlanta for the Super Bowl, and he offered some insight into his back surgery and a longer-than-expected rehab process during an interview on the Simms & Lefkoe podcast.
“I had a pinched nerve in my lower back. So they had to go in there and just kind of clean it up a little bit. It wasn’t, like when you say back surgery, it sounds like a huge deal, but ... it was a little cut, they just shaved it down a little bit to un-pinch the nerve. But coming back from that, my game is my quickness, how quick my feet are, so trying to build myself back from that, it was not easy — it was a lot harder than I thought it was gonna be.
“I’ve never had a huge injury like that before, so I just thought I was gonna go back on the field and be back to normal. It was a lot longer process than I wanted it to be and it was just a rough season. As the season went on, I just kept going at it, kept working harder and harder, and that’s why I’m really looking forward to this offseason right now … It’s gonna be real. I’m sick of being here right now, it’s time to get back to work, honestly.”
Taylor said he will spend the offseason in San Jose, which gives him time to continue with the 49ers new training staff before the offseason workout program starts in April.
The 49ers saw George Kittle break out in a huge way, and also so solid seasons from Dante Pettis and Kendrick Bourne. The team will likely add one or two more skill position players, along with hoping for a solid return from Marquise Goodwin. And yet, if Taylor can get back to his rookie form, he would be a solid addition for Jimmy Garoppolo and that offense. His work moving the chains was kind of a big deal that first season, and something the 49ers will be hoping to see again in 2019.