By Dianna Russini, Vic Tafur and Matt Barrows
The San Francisco 49ers are bringing back a familiar face, agreeing with free-agent wide receiver Kendrick Bourne on a one-year deal Monday worth up to $5 million, according to league sources.
Bourne, 30, signed with the 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2017 and played four seasons with San Francisco before leaving for the New England Patriots in 2021. After the Patriots released Bourne two weeks ago, he visited the 49ers and the Washington Commanders last week.
San Francisco needed help at wide receiver entering the season, with Brandon Aiyuk, Jacob Cowing and Jordan Watkins out injured and Demarcus Robinson suspended for the first three games. Then Jauan Jennings (shoulder) and tight end George Kittle (hamstring) each left Sunday’s opener against the Seattle Seahawks with injuries and did not return. Coach Kyle Shanahan said both players would have MRIs to determine the extent of their injuries.
Bourne had 28 catches for 305 yards and a touchdown in 12 games for the Patriots last season, missing the start of the campaign while recovering from a torn ACL suffered in October 2023. He missed most of training camp this summer with a foot injury.
Why the 49ers signed Bourne
Bourne came in for a workout with his former team last week, before the 49ers gave Jennings a raise to help secure his return from an absence that was apparently tied to both a calf injury and a desire for more money. But Jennings left Sunday’s game with a shoulder injury and is set for an MRI Monday.
Rookie Jordan Watkins just returned to practice from a sprained ankle but was inactive against the Seahawks, while veteran Demarcus Robinson just served the first game of a three-game suspension stemming from a DUI arrest. So the 49ers didn’t have a lot of immediate depth behind Ricky Pearsall, the recently signed Marques Valdez-Scantling and Russell Gage. Veteran Robbie Chosen is on the practice squad. – Tafur
Why San Francisco needs help at WR
For one, Jennings left Sunday’s win over the Seahawks in the second half with a shoulder issue that will be examined further today. Jennings caught passes on the sideline while he was out, wincing at least once when the ball arrived. He did not attempt to go back in the game. Meanwhile, the trio of Russell Gage, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Skyy Moore combined for 58 snaps, but none were targeted by Brock Purdy. though Valdes-Scantling drew an illegal contact penalty in the second half. Purdy instead targeted Christian McCaffrey 10 times, his tight ends eight times and Pearsall — who led the team with 108 receiving yards — seven times. — Barrows
(Photo: Maddie Meyer / Getty Images)