The San Francisco 49ers wide receiver room is a sight for sore eyes just nine days away from the season opener.
The team has struggled with health at the position throughout training camp, and is actively still looking for help for their Week 1 roster.
Currently, Ricky Pearsall, Jauan Jennings, Jordan Watkins, and Skyy Moore are the only wide receivers on the 53-man roster. The 49ers are expected to re-add Russell Gage to the group on Thursday, but even he was recently dealing with a minor knee sprain.
That’s why the team added Marques Valdez-Scantling to a one-year deal after he was released by the Seattle Seahawks. The wideout was signed to the practice squad, but should be called up for Week 1. He joins veteran Robbie Chosen and rookie Junior Bergen on the practice squad.
Jennings’s status for Week 1 remains in flux as he navigates a calf issue. The wideout has also been looking for a new contract, with general manager John Lynch confirming he requested a trade earlier in the offseason.
Jordan Watkins is also dealing with a high-ankle sprain, making his availability unknown as well, leaving Pearsall, Moore, and Gage as the lone healthy receivers on the 53-man roster. So, the team is still looking for more depth at the position, and a familiar face could be next to sign.
The New England Patriots released veteran wideout Kendrick Bourne after initially keeping him on the 53-man roster, leaving him free to sign with any team.
Bourne, entering his age-31 season, had 28 catches for 305 yards and one touchdown in 2024, playing in 12 contests. He was dealing with some injuries this offseason, so that will have to be monitored. But, he’s a familiar face, having spent the first four seasons of his career with the 49ers.
Could a return be in the cards? General manager John Lynch alluded to the possibility during a KNBR appearance on Thursday.
“Anytime a really good football player, who we had ties to—Kendrick [Bourne] started his career here—becomes available, there’s obviously going to be discussions,” Lynch said. “We’re trying to evaluate the pertinent information. Kendrick has been hurt in training camp there, so trying to see exactly where he’s at and having conversations.”
Bourne was initially an undrafted free agent back in 2017, but he was able to immediately contribute, catching 16 passes for 257 yards and a touchdown as a rookie. He went on to have his best season in 2020, going for 49 catches and 667 yards before signing a three-year deal with the New England Patriots in 2021.
He was extended by the Patriots on a three-year, $19.5 million deal last year, but has now been released and could very well be a 49er in the coming days and contribute in Week 1. San Francisco needs veteran receiver help alongside Pearsall. So, should they choose to pass on Bourne, it seems likely they’ll still look for one more receiver ahead of the start of the season.
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