The San Francisco 49ers are elevating veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks from the practice squad to the active roster, while also bringing back wideout Malik Turner to the practice squad.
The team has not revealed a corresponding move yet, but ESPN’s Nick Wagoner reported that Khadarel Hodge, who has been dealing with a knee injury this week, was not seen at the beginning of Thursday’s practice.
Cooks, who just turned 33 last week, was signed to the practice squad after the 49ers dealt with several
injuries at wide receiver. The 49ers entered the season without Ricky Pearsall and Christian Kirk and have since lost De’Zhaun Stribling and Demarcus Robinson. Now, Khadarel Hodge, who was signed to the active roster two weeks ago after being on the practice squad, could potentially also be out with his knee injury.
In addition, Mike Evans is currently dealing with a rib injury, leaving the 49ers with Deebo Samuel, Jacob Cowing, and Jordan Watkins as their other healthy receivers. Hodge got a big step up in work without Demarcus Robinson in the fold, playing 30 of 54 snaps against the Arizona Cardinals. That was only behind Deebo Samuel among receivers.
Now, the 49ers could look to Cooks, who signed last week, to fill the void on the perimeter, as they scrounge for more depth. Cooks, who is just 189 receiving yards away from 10,000 career yards, played 15 games between the New Orleans Saints and Buffalo Bills last season. He caught 24 passes for 279 yards, while adding five catches and 78 yards in two playoff games for the Bills.
Malik Turner has been a mainstay with the 49ers in the offseason for the last few years. He was in training camp with the team in 2024 and played on the practice squad that season. He was with the team on the practice squad all of last season as well, and had been in camp with the team this offseason before being released. Now, he’s back on the practice squad and could see an elevation coming soon.
That marks the second addition at receiver this week, as the 49ers also signed former second-round pick Dante Pettis to the practice squad on Wednesday.
