49ers’ Jauan Jennings Returns To Practice; No Agreement On Contract
A year after signing a modest extension as a restricted free agent, Jauan Jennings nearly reached 1,000 yards. He then saw Deebo Samuel traded and Brandon Aiyuk land on the reserve/PUP list. A push for better contract terms has commenced, but Jennings remains tied to the deal he signed last year.
Attached to a two-year, $11.89MM contract that expires at season’s end, Jennings will be expected to start for the 49ers this year. Understandably, the sixth-year veteran has tried to procure a better deal as another season with a starter’s workload is on tap. While the 49ers do not intend to resolve this matter with a trade, it does not sound like negotiations are dead in the water.
[RELATED: Recapping 49ers’ 2025 Offseason]
But the team must now begin preparations for Week 1. Decimated at receiver thanks to the injuries to Aiyuk and Jacob Cowing accompanying the Demarcus Robinson suspension, the 49ers have made a few moves — in adding Skyy Moore, Russell Gage and Marquez Valdes-Scantling — while their Kendrick Bourne workout commenced today. Jennings also returned to practice, per The Athletic’s Matt Barrows.
Jennings, 28, had been out for more than a month with a calf injury. That malady surfaced shortly after his contract push became known. Players have used injuries as de facto hold-in measures during a CBA that makes holdouts difficult to wage. Kyle Shanahan, however, said Jennings had not formally requested a trade and ultimately expected him to play in Week 1. It seems that is on track to happen, as the 49ers will have Jennings teaming with 2024 first-round pick Ricky Pearsall as their top wide receivers against the Seahawks.
Even if Jennings returns for Week 1, his contract situation will be one to monitor. The 49ers may be leery about a second notable WR deal after ending the monthslong Aiyuk saga with a $30MM-per-year deal. Jennings is not a candidate to land a contract on that level, but the 49ers also paid Brock Purdy this offseason and handed out third contracts to George Kittle and Fred Warner. San Francisco’s budget may not include a significant Jennings raise, which would make this a pivotal year for the former seventh-round pick.
With Pearsall and ex-Arizona State teammate Aiyuk in place as the 49ers’ long-term weapons alongside Kittle, Jennings — absent an extension — will be a player to monitor ahead of the 2026 free agency period. With 2026 set to be Jennings’ age-29 season, he may have one real chance to cash in. And even that might bring an age-driven discount. For now, Jennings will be a crucial part the 49ers’ offense — particularly while Aiyuk is sidelined due to a longer ACL recovery timetable.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 8/29/25
NFL teams continue adjusting their practice squads as we close in on the regular season:
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: CB Zion Childress
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: CB Micah Robinson
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: WR Austin Trammell
- Released: WR Dorian Singer
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: DE Ethan Downs, DT Brodric Martin, DT Zacch Pickens, DE Tyreke Smith
- Released: DT Coziah Izzard, WR Hal Presley
Los Angeles Chargers
- Released: CB Harrison Hand
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: S Jordan Colbert
New England Patriots
- Signed: T Thayer Munford
- Released: G Jack Conley
New York Giants
- Signed: LB Zaire Barnes, OL McClendon Curtis
- Released: OLB Trace Ford
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: CB Ambry Thomas
- Released: WR Terrace Marshall, CB Eli Ricks
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: DT Evan Anderson, T Kilian Zierer
- Released: DE William Bradley-King
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: DT Timmy Horne, T John Ojukwu
- Released: RB Jermar Jefferson, CB Amani Oruwariye
Anderson cleared waivers after being cut and can now be assigned to the 49ers’ practice squad. The reason San Francisco can add two while only dropping one from a full practice squad is because Zierer is from Munich, Germany, qualifying him to be a part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program. While practice squads are capped at 16 players, teams can keep a 17th player if they are a part of the IPPP.
WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling Chose 49ers Over Steelers
Following his Seahawks release, Marquez Valdes-Scantling became one of the top receivers on the open market. A deal sending him to the 49ers’ active roster was quickly worked out. 
As a result, the veteran deep threat is in position to handle a role right away with a San Francisco team in need of healthy options at the receiver position. Valdes-Scantling had interest from other suitors, though. The runner-up in his market turned out to be the Steelers.
“It was between here and Pittsburgh,” Valdes-Scantling said during his introductory press conference (video link). “Obviously, I have a great relationship with Aaron Rodgers over there, and he wanted me back over there. So, it was a toss-up, 50/50, and I had to weigh my options and see which one I wanted to do, which was going to be better for my career at this point, and I was excited about it.”
Rodgers and Valdes-Scantling played together for four years in Green Bay. It comes as little surprise the Pittsburgh quarterback attempted to engineer a deal given his previous efforts to reunite with former Packers teammates. The Steelers have long been connected to a potential receiver addition this offseason, and their ongoing interest in Gabe Davis points to Pittsburgh looking for a vertical threat in particular.
Instead of reuniting with Rodgers for 2025, Valdes-Scantling will look to carve out an immediate role in San Francisco. The 49ers will be without Brandon Aiyuk and Jacob Cowing for at least the first four weeks of the season. Demarcus Robinson will be sidelined until Week 4 due to suspension, and it remains to be seen if Jauan Jennings will be available for the season opener. A short acclimation period will be in store, but Valdes-Scantling noted a familiarity with the 49ers’ scheme based on his time with Klint Kubiak in New Orleans last year and Seattle this summer. Kubiak’s brother Klay is San Francisco’s offensive coordinator.
The Steelers are set to move forward with a WR room led by trade acquisition D.K. Metcalf and returnees Calvin Austin and Roman Wilson. Davis is still unsigned, and especially with Valdes-Scantling turning down the opportunity to head to Pittsburgh it will be interesting to see if the team pursues a deal on that front over the coming days.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 8/28/25
Teams around the NFL continued to adjust their practice squads as new players came free from Wednesday’s transactions. Here are all the latest updates:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: CB Chigozie Anusiem, OL Demontrey Jacobs, QB Kedon Slovis
- Released: OL Sincere Haynesworth
Arizona Falcons
- Signed: OT Ryan Hayes
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: CB Jalen Kimber, DE Andre Jones Jr.
- Released: CB Daequan Hardy
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: DT Jaden Crumedy, DB Kalen King, RB DeeJay Dallas
- Released: DB Shemar Bartholomew
Chicago Bears
- Signed: TE Nikola Kalinic, DB Dontae Manning, DB Gervarrius Owens
- Released: LS Luke Elkin, DB Mekhi Garner
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: OT Javon Foster, S Russ Yeast
- Released: OT Devin Cochran
- Signed: CB Dom Jones, TE Brenden Bates, OT Logan Brown, G Garrett Dellinger, LB Edefuan Ulofoshio
- Released: DT Ralph Holley
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: DE Isaiah Land
Denver Broncos:
- Signed: TE Patrick Murtaugh
Detroit Lions:
- Signed: DE Andre Carter
Green Bay Packers:
- Signed: OT Dalton Cooper, QB Clayton Tune, TE Josh Whyle
Houston Texans:
- Signed: OT Reid Holskey, WR Josh Kelly
Indianapolis Colts:
- Signed: WR Laquon Treadwell, S Ben Nikkel, WR Tyler Scott
- Released: WR Tyler Kahmann
Jacksonville Jaguars:
- Signed: DL Matt Dickerson, WR Erik Ezukanma
Kansas City Chiefs:
- Signed: S Jammie Robinson
Los Angeles Chargers:
- Signed: OT Foster Sarell
Miami Dolphins:
- Signed: RB JaMycal Hasty
Minnesota Vikings:
- Signed: S K’Von Wallace
New England Patriots:
- Signed: LB Mark Robinson, DB Corey Ballentine, DT Cory Durden, DT Fabien Lovett
- Released: LB Cam Riley, TE Gee Scott Jr., CB Brandon Crossley
New York Giants:
- Signed: TE Qadir Ismail
New York Jets:
- Signed: OL Marquis Hayes, DB Korie Black
Philadelphia Eagles:
- Signed: WR Britain Covey, OT Luke Felix Fualalo
San Francisco 49ers:
- Signed: QB Adrian Martinez, RB Sincere McCormick
Seattle Seahawks:
- Signed: LB Chris Paul Jr., WR/KR Courtney Jackson, CB Shaquill Griffin
- Released: DT Anthony Campbell, LB Jalan Gaines, RB Anthony Tyus III
Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
- Signed: QB Connor Bazelak, DL C.J. Brewer, WR Garrett Greene, G Luke Haggard, CB Bryce Hall, S Jack Henderson, WR Dennis Houston, DL Nash Hutmacher, LB Nick Jackson, DL Jayson Jones, OL Michael Jordan, OLB Mohamed Kamara, T Tyler McLellan, T Lorenz Metz, G Ben Scott, TE Tanner Taula
Tennessee Titans:
- Signed: OL Corey Levin, OL Clay Webb, DB Sam Webb
Washington Commanders:
Signed: RB Donovan Edwards, CB Darius Rush
Ismail was one of 17 players to work out for the Giants on Thursday, per The Athletic’s Dan Duggan. He won the practice squad spot over more notable players like former Broncos safety Caden Sterns and former Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Canadian quarterback Taylor Elgersma also attended the workout, per Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post, suggesting that the Giants might be looking for extra depth at the position.
Wallace worked out for the Vikings on Thursday, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. It must have gone well, as he was signed to the practice squad hours later as extra depth both in the secondary and on special teams.
Griffin returned to the Seahawks this offseason, eight years after they made him a third-round pick in the 2017 draft. He did not make Seattle’s 53-man roster, but as a vested veteran, he was able to re-sign to the practice squad without going through waivers.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/28/25
As rosters continue to be sorted out, here are Thursday’s minor moves around the NFL:
Chicago Bears
- Signed: LS Scott Daly, WR Devin Duvernay
- Waived: LB Carl Jones Jr.
Cincinnati Bengals
- Waived: DT Eric Gregory
Dallas Cowboys
- Claimed off waivers (from Eagles): OL Trevor Keegan
- Waived: WR Ryan Flournoy
Las Vegas Raiders
- Claimed off waivers (from Eagles): S Tristin McCollum
- Waived: S Thomas Harper
San Francisco 49ers
- Released: S Richie Grant
- Waived: DT Evan Anderson
Seattle Seahawks
- Waived: S D’Anthony Bell
Patriots To Release WR Kendrick Bourne; 49ers Interested In Reunion
AUGUST 28: John Lynch confirmed during a KNBR interview (via the San Jose Mercury News’ Cam Inman) the 49ers are indeed discussing the prospect of reuniting with Bourne. The team is factoring in Bourne’s recent injury absence into this effort, but the eight-year veteran — the first four coming in San Francisco — is on the radar to return.
AUGUST 27: Kendrick Bourne‘s up-and-down Patriots stint is over. Despite being carried through to New England’s 53-man roster, the veteran wide receiver is being released, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports. 
This will wrap a four-plus-year tenure for Bourne, who has been a trade-rumor mainstay. He will now seek a fresh start elsewhere. The Vikings had shown interest in Bourne before acquiring Adam Thielen, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who adds other teams expressed interest as well. Bourne should be able to find a new home fairly soon.
Unsurprisingly, the 49ers are interested in bringing Bourne back, NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco reports. Bourne played four 49ers seasons before joining the Patriots, and the teams discussed a trade during last summer’s Brandon Aiyuk saga. Bourne asked for his Pats release, The Athletic’s Jeff Howe adds. We mentioned Bourne as a release candidate earlier this summer.
The Patriots had kept eight receivers on their initial 53-man roster. Some teams keep five, six or even seven; eight is an unrealistic number for a team to devote to this position. And New England, which has made many changes in Mike Vrabel‘s first offseason, is cutting the cord. Bourne had re-signed with the Pats on a three-year, $19.5MM deal last March. No guaranteed money remained on the contract, and the Pats will escape it with just a $2.8MM dead money hit.
Although the 49ers discussed Bourne with the Pats last summer, he was not eyeing a move back to San Francisco at the deadline. Interest still came in for Bourne, who was no longer a centerpiece part in the Pats’ WR equation this year. The team added Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins in free agency. Bourne posted an 800-yard season in Josh McDaniels‘ previous Pats season (2021) but has not eclipsed 500 yards in a single campaign since. Still, he is entering an age-30 season and viewed as a solid auxiliary performer.
The 49ers have added Skyy Moore and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. This comes after Aiyuk moved to the reserve/PUP list and Demarcus Robinson shifted to the reserve/suspended list. The 49ers had not seen Jauan Jennings practice in several weeks due to a calf injury (and contract matter), while Jacob Cowing is also hurt. Bourne, a UDFA who posted 667 yards in his 2020 San Francisco finale, would make sense as an option now that he’s available.
Wednesday NFL Transactions: NFC West
Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These 49ers, Cardinals, Rams and Seahawks moves are noted below.
Arizona Cardinals
Signed to practice squad:
- WR Andre Baccellia, LB Elliott Brown, OL Jeremiah Byers, RB Michael Carter, OL Jake Curhan, TE Josiah Deguara, WR Simi Fehoko, DL Anthony Goodlow, CB Darren Hall, OL Sincere Haynesworth, OL Nick Leverett, T Roy Mbaeteka WR Tejhaun Palmer, DL Elijah Simmons
Los Angeles Rams
Signed to practice squad:
- OL A.J. Arcuri, OL Wyatt Bowles, WR Tru Edwards, CB A.J. Green, DT Jack Heflin, S Tanner Ingle, CB Cam Lampkin, OL Dylan McMahon, OLB Jamil Muhammad, ILB Elias Neal, DT Bill Norton, WR Brennan Presley, TE Mark Redman, RB Ronnie Rivers, RB Cody Schrader, S Nate Valcarcel
San Francisco 49ers
Signed:
- WR Russell Gage
Claimed:
- DT Jordan Jefferson (from Jaguars)
Released from IR (via settlement):
- RB Corey Kiner
Signed to practice squad:
- CB Eli Apple, WR Junior Bergen, DL William Bradley-King, DB Derrick Canteen, WR Robbie Chosen, DL Trevis Gipson, LB Jalen Graham, OL Drake Nugent, LB Curtis Robinson, WR Malik Turner, DL Sebastian Valdez, TE Brayden Willis, OL Nick Zakelj
Seattle Seahawks
Signed:
Claimed:
- CB Derion Kendrick (from Rams)
Released:
Signed to practice squad:
- DT Quinton Bohanna, WR Tyrone Broden, DT Anthony Campbell, DE Jalan Gaines, WR Courtney Jackson, CB Shemar Jean-Charles, T Amari Kight, G Sataoa Laumea, C Federico Maranges, QB Adrian Martinez, RB Damien Martinez, LB Patrick O’Connell, NT Brandon Pili, S Jerrick Reed, LB Jamie Sheriff, DT J.R. Singleton, RB Anthony Tyus III, WR Ricky White, RB Jacardia Wright
John Lynch: 49ers Not Trading WR Jauan Jennings
Last month, it was reported Jauan Jennings would seek a trade in the event he did not receive an extension. No new contract is forthcoming, and a swap sending him out of San Francisco is not on tap either. 
[RELATED: 49ers To Add Marquez Valdes-Scantling]
When speaking to the media on Wednesday, general manager John Lynch confirmed Jennings did submit a trade request earlier this offseason. He made it clear, however, that no consideration has been given to dealing away the 28-year-old wideout. According to Lynch, both sides have moved on by this point.
“He’s been putting in work to the side,” Lynch said (via Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News) when referring to Jennings’ calf injury. “Both can be true: he wants a new contract and he has a hurt calf. Everyone assumes one or the other. Both can be true.”
Earlier this week, head coach Kyle Shanahan indicated he expects Jennings to be healed in time for Week 1. That would certainly be a welcomed development given the team’s plethora of injuries at the WR spot. Jacob Cowing was moved to injured reserve today, ensuring he will join Brandon Aiyuk and Demarcus Robinson on the sidelines through September. Having Jennings in place would be key for the team’s passing game, especially with the former seventh-rounder coming off by far his best season to date.
Jennings posted 975 yards and six touchdowns in 2024 and used that as a way of trying to leverage a new pact. The 49ers certainly have a long history of working out lucrative (and often protracted) extensions with high-profile players under Lynch, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Owed $4MM in 2025, Jennings will not be among them, however.
The Tennessee product is a pending free agent, so his market value will be dictated by the extent to which he can duplicate last year’s success. Especially before Aiyuk is back in the fold, a key role should await Jennings in the passing game. A strong showing would help his ability to land a raise next spring, but no new San Francisco pact (or change of scenery) will be in place before then.
49ers Re-Sign P Thomas Morstead, Place WR Jacob Cowing On IR
After their moves to get down to 53 on their roster, the 49ers were temporarily without a punter. Thomas Morstead is back in the fold today, however. 
Morstead was re-signed on Wednesday, per a team announcement. The move means he will be able to handle punting duties at the start of the campaign. In a corresponding move, San Francisco’s receiver depth has been dealt another blow. Jacob Cowing is now on injured reserve.
Morstead is entering his 17th NFL season but his first in the Bay Area. The former Saint, Dolphin, Falcon and Jet was released shortly after the draft this spring. He quickly managed to line up a new deal, signing with the 49ers. Morstead took a one-year pact to head to San Francisco, and that will no doubt be the case again on his post-release contract with the team.
Cowing is set to miss at least the first month of the season. The 2024 fourth-rounder was not a factor on offense despite playing 15 games as a rookie, but he entered the summer as a candidate for an increased workload. Instead, Cowing’s second NFL campaign will be delayed at the start. This news adds further to the lack of availability at the receiver position the 49ers are currently dealing with.
Brandon Aiyuk will be sidelined through at least September, while Demarcus Robinson will start the campaign by serving his three-game DUI suspension. San Francisco has been busy adding wideouts with those looming absences in mind, and any more moves will now come with the knowledge Cowing will be unavailable early on.
49ers To Sign WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Marquez Valdes-Scantling did not make the Seahawks’ 53-man roster. Rather than a potential practice squad deal, the veteran wide receiver will accept an active-roster offer elsewhere in the NFC West.
The well-traveled wideout is signing with the 49ers, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports. San Francisco is shorthanded at receiver, and the team now has three ex-Chiefs in the fold. While Demarcus Robinson serves a three-game suspension, however, MVS and Skyy Moore are now in place. This is a practice squad deal, per The Athletic’s Matt Barrows.
Valdes-Scantling signed a one-year, $4MM Seahawks deal in March, staying with Klint Kubiak after their short time together in New Orleans. The Seahawks took on $3MM in dead money by cutting MVS, though the experienced wideout will be in a familiar system. Kyle Shanahan oversaw both Kubiak and Matt LaFleur during his career; that will make Valdes-Scantling a fit as a tertiary target.
The 49ers placed Brandon Aiyuk on the reserve/PUP list Tuesday and shifted Robinson to the reserve/suspended list. The team also has not seen Jauan Jennings practice in weeks due to a calf injury; a contract issue is also a factor for Jennings, though time is running out on that front. Second-year player Jacob Cowing made the 49ers’ 53-man roster but is also battling an injury. MVS might not be the only WR the 49ers add; they are believed to be interested in reuniting with Kendrick Bourne after his Patriots release.
Despite being released by the Bills months into his tenure, Valdes-Scantling made some contributions to the Saints to generate interest ahead of the $4MM Seahawks deal. The 30-year-old receiver — who had been one of the NFL’s more notable deep threats for a period in Green Bay and Kansas City — caught 17 passes for 385 yards and four touchdowns in New Orleans.
A penchant for drops notwithstanding, MVS made some pivotal playoff receptions for the Chiefs — including a touchdown grab in Super Bowl LVIII — as they closed out a championship season in 2023. A year prior, the ex-Packers fifth-rounder eclipsed 100 receiving yards in an AFC championship game in which the Chiefs were battered at wide receiver. The 49ers will call on the seven-year vet for some short-term aid.