San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (84) carries the ball as Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Charvarius Ward (35) defends during the third quarter in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium. John David Mercer-Imagn Images

49ers finally reunite with veteran WR amid injury concerns

By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Sep 8, 2025 1:19 PM ET

The San Francisco 49ers were desperate to add wide receiver help following their 17-13 win over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, wide receiver Kendrick Bourne is signing with the 49ers on a one-year deal worth up to $5M.

"Kendrick Bourne is returning home to the San Francisco 49ers on a 1-year deal with a max value of $5 million, per @HenryOrgann and @AgentBigAl of @DisruptiveSports," Schefter posted on X.

Kendrick Bourne is returning home to the San Francisco 49ers on a 1-year deal with a max value of $5 million, per @HenryOrgann and @AgentBigAl of @DisruptiveSports. pic.twitter.com/uBWDQgisSc
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 8, 2025

Following a three-year contract extension ($45M) for right tackle Colton McKivitz on Monday morning, San Francisco had enough cash to offer Bourne a deal he'd accept.

On Sunday, head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed that the 49ers were still trying to sign Bourne amid significant injuries at receiver and tight end.

The San Francisco 49ers have receiver issues

The 49ers are still waiting for star receiver Brandon Aiyuk to return from his season-ending ACL injury in 2024. Receiver Jauan Jennings (shoulder) and tight end George Kittle (hamstring) will need MRIs after suffering injuries on Sunday.

The 49ers signed Bourne in 2017 as an undrafted free agent. The Eastern Washington standout spent four seasons in San Francisco before joining the New England Patriots in 2021.

Bourne has appeared in 111 games and started 34, recording 292 receptions for 3,714 yards and 22 touchdowns in his first eight years in the NFL.

The marriage of Bourne and the 49ers makes sense, as the 30-year-old pass-catcher knows Shanahan's system and should be ready to play quickly for a receiver-needy offense.

Jordan Sigler

Jordan Sigler is a sports writer with a decade of experience as a journalist, including his time as a breaking news/day cops reporter for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. His sports coverage across the NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLB, NHL, and college football world has also been featured at ChiCitySports, Gridiron Heroics, Pro Football Network, and Athlon Sports. Based in Austin, Texas, Jordan graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism from Texas Tech University in 2014

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