San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Demarcus Robinson is expected to be suspended for the first three games of the 2025 NFL season for violation of the league's substance abuse policy, head coach Kyle Shanahan announced Wednesday on KNBR radio.
Robinson's discipline is not yet official and still going through the appeals process, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported.
"You can always appeal it so we'll hope for the best on that, but (three weeks) is what we're planning for," Shanahan said on KNBR.
Robinson's suspension stems from a misdemeanor driving under the influence charge in November of last year when he was a member of the Los Angeles Rams. He subsequently pleaded no contest to the charge. Robinson, 30, was sentenced to three years probation, ordered to pay a $390 fine and to complete an alcohol-education program.
Three games is the standard suspension for a first-offense DUI, Pelissero noted.
The 49ers open their season on the road Sept. 7 against the Seattle Seahawks, then travel to face the New Orleans Saints on Sept. 14 and play their home opener Sept. 21 against the Arizona Cardinals. Robinson would miss all three games and be eligible to return in Week 4 against the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars.
Robinson was arrested on Nov. 25 after California Highway Patrol officers observed signs of alcohol impairment once Robinson was pulled over by authorities for allegedly traveling upward of 100 mph on US-101 northbound at 5:13 a.m. The arrest came in the early morning after a Rams Sunday night home game.
Robinson is heading into his 10th NFL season, having signed a two-year, $9.5 million deal with the 49ers this offseason.
San Francisco will be his fourth NFL stop. He began his career as a 2016 NFL Draft fourth-round choice of the Kansas City Chiefs. He won a Super Bowl during six seasons with the Chiefs from 2016-2021. He played a season with the Baltimore Ravens in 2022 and was with the Rams the last two years. His 2024 campaign for L.A. saw Robinson haul in 31 receptions for 505 yards and seven touchdowns -- the latter two standing as career highs.
The suspension was expected, but it doesn't make it any less impactful for a 49ers squad dealing with a dearth of options in the wide receiver room.
Brandon Aiyuk is likely out until at least Week 6 coming back from a season-ending knee injury, Jordan Watkins and Jacob Cowing are dealing with injury issues and Jauan Jennings has also been dinged up, but is reportedly unhappy with his current contract.
To help address the WR situation, San Francisco traded a 2027 sixth-round pick to the Kansas City Chiefs on Wednesday in exchange for Skyy Moore and a 2027 seventh-round draft choice.
