Fan favorite Kendrick Bourne is well aware of how the 49ers’ offense must step up with key defenders Fred Warner and Nick Bosa sidelined for the remainder of the 2025 NFL season with devastating injuries.

San Francisco’s wide receiver detailed the offense’s obligation with reporters at 49ers practice in Santa Clara on Wednesday.

“We want to, having offensive-minded coaches, lead the team,” Bourne said of the offense. “We’re always competing with the defense — in a good way. We want to be leaders of the team, and once you’re competing like that, you’re going to play good as a collective group. We want to put up points, we want to do the right things. 

“And yeah, it’s more pressure now. It always is, but now we got to keep carrying our workload and doing what we need to do to just help the team win.”

Bourne has done his part. 

He has recorded a career-high 142 passing yards in two consecutive games as quarterback Mac Jones’ top target.

Bourne understands that the time is now for coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense to rise to the occasion and throw the defense a bone. However, the nine-year wideout explained that unfortunate injuries lead to promising opportunities — which is the case for inside linebacker Tatum Bethune, Warner’s backup.

“Tatum, [he has] big shoes to fill,” Bourne said. “But it’s the opportunity, man. You think about injuries, you think about how people get creative, how people get their chance. That’s usually how it goes in the league. Fred, playing at a high level, so many starting snaps, a lot of film on him, so Tatum he can watch a lot of things that he can learn from; he’s been around him. So, it’s going to be huge. 

“But everybody else, just the same thing. Taking advantage of the [opportunity], you never know when it’s going to present itself, and the question is, ‘Are you ready?’ It’ll show itself, it’ll show on film, how you’re moving, how you’re reacting, things like that. I’m excited for [Bethune], though. It’ll be good for him. It usually happens to the ones that are ready.”

Ready or not, the time has come. 

And Bourne believes Bethune and the entire 49ers team are prepared to step up for their fallen shoulders.

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