Vernon Davis caught two passes for 26 yards. One of those receptions went for 23 yards, the longest Colin Kaepernick-to-Davis pass play since Week 1 in Dallas.
It’s been a very rough year for Davis, who has only 25 catches for 236 yards and two scores, both touchdowns coming against the Cowboys. He has six drops and his run blocking has deteriorated.
One thing in his favor: he’s said all the right things this season — he has neither blamed his lack of production on injuries or complained about his role in the 49ers’ offense.
“I’m always optimistic. That’s just the way I am. I can’t help it,” Davis told reporters after today’s 24-13 loss to the Raiders. “I’m a believer. I believe in this team. I believe in what we put together.”
He also still believes in himself, and appreciates a good Vernon-related message on a t-shirt worn over a plaid dress shirt.
Whether it’s a real t-shirt or a photoshopped slogan, the fact that he posted it on his Facebook page shows that he’s hungry to get back into the flow of the offense. In a season where he’s looked like a shell of his former self, maybe that’s not the worst thing in the world. A couple weeks ago I was beginning to wonder if he cared about football anymore.