49ers agree to deal with veteran WR

The 49ers are shorthanded at the moment with respect to their depth receivers, and an addition is being made as a result. Anthony Miller has agreed to a deal in San Francisco, reports Jordan Schultz of the Score (link).

Miller flashed potential during his three seasons with the Bears, particularly in 2019. That year, he posted 52 catches for 656 yards and a pair of touchdowns, but he found himself being dealt to Houston ahead of the 2021 campaign. The former second-rounder soon found himself in Pittsburgh, where he made a single appearance.

A shoulder injury left Miller sidelined for the entire 2022 season, and the Steelers released him this past June. To no surprise, the former second-rounder has found himself on the open market since then as teams have looked elsewhere for complimentary pass-catching options. San Francisco’s WR depth chart is headlined by Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, but a depth spot could be available for Miller at least to start the regular season.

2022 third-rounder Danny Gray is dealing with a right SC joint sprain in his shoulder, head coach Kyle Shanahan said on the weekend (link via ESPN’s Nick Wagoner). A firm timetable for Gray’s return is not in place, but he is likely to miss time at the start of the year. He made only a single catch as a rookie despite playing 10 games, and the presence of Samuel, Ayiuk, Jauan Jennings, Ray-Ray McCloud and Ronnie Bell could leave Gray with a difficult path to significant playing time upon his return.

It could also make it difficult for Miller, 28, to carve out a role presuming he survives final roster cuts next week. This deal will nevertheless allow him another chance to find a permanent home in the NFL and prove that he has recovered in full from last year’s injury.