Dante Pettis was the first the 49ers wide receiver to seemingly end up in Kyle Shanahan’s ‘doghouse’, with a career with the team that once looked extremely promising coming to an end after fewer than three seasons.
The 2018 second-round pick, who had five touchdowns as a rookie and a further two in 2019, was waived by the 49ers late in the 2020 campaign after his opportunities severely diminished.
But, after Pettis’ return was confirmed on Wednesday with the wideout joining the practice squad, Shanahan
rejected any of suggestion of any previous ill-feeling with the veteran, who is now in his eighth year.
“There was no relationship issue,” Shanahan said.
“That was just how it worked out, and I think people get confused sometimes with saying people are in the doghouse and things like that. People, I think, sometimes get that confused with just coaching.”
Shanahan added that the 49ers tried to make a reunion happen earlier in the year when they were short on receiving depth.
“But I’ve always loved Dante. Dante’s a great dude,” Shanahan continued.
“He’s got a lot of ability, done some really good things, since we let him go, in other places. And so, we tried to bring him back during training camp, when we had some guys down, and tried again this time, and this time it worked out.”
With Mike Evans dealing with a rib injury and KhaDarel Hodge missing Wednesday’s practice with a knee issue, the sheer scale of the 49ers’ injuries at receiver could press Pettis into immediate action against the Denver Broncos on Sunday.
Nearly six years on from the end of his first spell with the team, Shanahan sounds more than ready to rely on Pettis again if needed.
