49ers bring In two-time Super Bowl WR as injuries begin to pile up

The San Francisco 49ers are adding an experienced weapon to their receiving corps as injuries continue to test their depth early in the season.

Veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks is signing with San Francisco’s practice squad, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The initial plan is to give the 32-year-old time to learn the offense and get prepared before potentially contributing on game days.

Cooks arrives at an important time for San Francisco. The 49ers have already dealt with injuries to receivers Ricky Pearsall, De’Zhaun Stribling and Demarcus Robinson. Veteran Mike Evans is also dealing with a hip injury that could require the team to monitor his workload this week.

Adding Cooks gives San Francisco another proven option with more than a decade of NFL experience.

The New Orleans Saints originally selected Cooks with the No. 20 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft after his college career at Oregon State. He spent his first three seasons in New Orleans before beginning a journey that has taken him across the league.

Cooks has also played for the New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams, Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys and Buffalo Bills.

49ers turn to 9,800-yard receiver

He returned to New Orleans in 2025, but that reunion ended in November when the Saints waived him following his request to be released. Cooks later signed with Buffalo and finished the season with the Bills.

His Buffalo tenure included a memorable and controversial moment in the playoffs. During overtime of the Bills’ divisional-round loss to Denver, Cooks appeared to secure a deep pass from Josh Allen before Broncos cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian took possession as Cooks went to the ground. Officials ruled the play an interception, and Buffalo never regained possession.

Cooks brings extensive postseason experience to San Francisco as well. He appeared in consecutive Super Bowls with New England and Los Angeles, although both teams lost.

Over 12 NFL seasons, Cooks has accumulated 734 receptions for 9,811 receiving yards and 62 total touchdowns.

Now, he will attempt to provide valuable veteran depth for a 49ers offense navigating several injuries at wide receiver.

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