The 49ers signed free agent wide receiver Brandin Cooks to the practice squad.
Cooks will get up to speed for San Francisco’s upcoming games and join the active roster. The Oregon State product is entering his 13th season in the NFL and needs only 189 yards to reach 10,000 receiving yards for his career.
Source: free-agent WR Brandin Cooks is signing with the 49ers practice squad, initially to get up to speed for games. It is year 13 for the former first-round pick from Oregon State who now is 189 yards short of 10,000 receiving yards for his NFL career. pic.twitter.com/oJ93YEdLFU
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 22, 2026
Mike Evans sustained a hip injury in the 49ers’ win against the Dolphins in Week 2. The veteran will need to be managed this week, thus the signing of Cooks indicates the team is preparing for the worst-case scenario.
San Francisco also lost wide receiver Demarcus Robinson in their 35-13 victory over Miami. Robinson joined breakout rookie De’Zhaun Stribling on injured reserve.
The 49ers also lost Ricky Pearsall to season-ending surgery in the offseason, which propelled the front office to orchestrate a reunion with Deebo Samuel on a one-year deal.
While the 49ers have opened the season 2-0, injuries have already begun to pile up for the squad. Head coach Kyle Shanahan made it abundantly clear that Brandon Aiyuk — who is on the Reserve/Left Squad list — is not an option.
Cooks, a former first-round pick, will add depth to an ailing 49ers wide receiver room.
