The San Francisco 49ers have had their fair share of injury problems over the past few seasons, particularly on offense. The 2026 campaign has been especially brutal, with the team running short on healthy wide receivers. Sitting atop the NFC West, the 49ers naturally added some much-needed help at the trade deadline, acquiring veteran Keenan Allen from the Indianapolis Colts.

However, the move has already drawn some jokes from fans, and NFL analyst Colin Cowherd also couldn’t resist taking a shot at San Francisco for its habit of bringing in older receivers with injury histories.

Colin Cowherd Takes a Shot at 49ers Over Keenan Allen Trade

The 49ers had little choice but to address their depleted receiving corps. Mike Evans remains sidelined, while Deebo Samuel returned to limited practice Wednesday after missing three games with a hamstring injury. De’Zhaun Stribling is likely out until December, and Ricky Pearsall is done for the season.

With so few reliable options available, San Francisco needed help. The team eventually traded a 2027 sixth-round pick to the Colts for Allen, according to NFL insider Adam Schefter.

At 34, Allen is no longer in his prime, and his injury history hasn’t helped his case. That gave Cowherd an opening to take a shot at the 49ers for once again turning to an aging receiver with a history of health issues.

“You gotta appreciate the commitment to the bit. That’s sort of what the Niners did. Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch signing another old WR with injury history… I appreciate the 49ers believing in this bit. Injury-prone wide receivers are what they do,” Cowherd said on “The Herd.”

Cowherd also brought up Brock Purdy’s numbers, joking how often he’s connected with receivers over 30 years old this season.

“Brock Purdy has 17 touchdown passes this year, with 16 to guys over 30, or guys in their thirties. This is what they are,” the analyst continued.

Through Week 9, Allen ranks No. 52 with a PFN WR Impact Score of 72.1. He joins Demarcus Robinson and Jordan Watkins among San Francisco’s available receiving options.

The 49ers now have Evans, Allen, Samuel, and Brandin Cooks, which is Cowherd’s point. These are some of the oldest receivers in the NFL, but San Francisco is hoping they can still produce at a high level. Cooks hasn’t been called upon as much, but Evans, Allen, and Samuel are key contributors for the team. Allen certainly addresses a need for the Niners, and, at worst, he is a solid veteran depth piece.

The 49ers are well-positioned to win the NFC West if they stay healthy, keep playing well, and take care of business in their divisional matchups. At 7-1, they also have a real shot at securing the NFC’s No. 1 seed.

Purdy is playing like a top MVP candidate, Christian McCaffrey continues to do his thing, and the defense is holding up its end. If Allen can settle in and give the receiving corps some stability, the trade could pay off in a big way. After 14 years in the league, he may finally have a chance to get his hands on the Lombardi Trophy.