HEADLINES

San Francisco 49ers News & Rumors

49ers To Sign CB Eli Apple

July 27th, 2025 at 9:30pm CST by Ely Allen

The 49ers already entered training camp working to establish their cornerbacks group after losing Charvarius Ward and Isaac Yiadom in the offseason. The position took another hit two days ago when returning starter Renardo Green left practice early with an apparent hamstring injury, per Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. An update today from Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports reported that head coach Kyle Shanahan expects that Green will be out at least until the team’s second preseason game, meaning about a two-week absence.

Down another body in the room, San Francisco moved to sign veteran cornerback Eli Apple, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who was informed by Apple’s agent, Kevin Conner. Apple is now set to join his seventh NFL team as he heads into his 10th year of play. His new deal with the 49ers will be a one-year agreement.

Apple hasn’t held a full-time starting role in the NFL since his two-year stint with the Bengals ended after the 2022 season. 2023 saw Apple signed by the Dolphins around this same time of year when Jalen Ramsey suffered a knee injury in training camp. He appeared in 10 games with Miami, starting four. Last year, Apple went unsigned into the regular season and eventually signed with the Chargers after Asante Samuel Jr. went down. The cycle continues for a third year in a row as Apple lands with a team late because of an injury.

One of the reasons Apple is rarely getting long-term deals is his own injury history. Apple has never played in every game of a full season in his nine-year career. His best attempts were in the final of two years of his rookie contract (split between New York and New Orleans), in which he started and played in 30 of a possible 32 games, and his two years in Cincinnati, in which started 30 of 31 appearances out of a possible 34 games. Overall, he’s missed 30 games due to injury over the years, including most recently, the Chargers’ last six game of 2024.

Regardless, the Niners are turning to the veteran to help fill out a thin room in training camp. As it stood before the injury to Green, Deommodore Lenoir was set to start opposite Green on the outside, after spending most of 2024 in the slot. Lenoir’s nickelback role was likely to be filled by third-round Western Kentucky rookie Upton Stout, who frequented the position for the Hilltoppers last year. Behind them, free agent additions Tre Brown, Siran Neal, and Dallis Flowers added depth to the group, along with a few less-experienced incumbents like Tre Avery, Darrell Luter Jr., and Chase Lucas. Apple’s experience should help the group this summer and give him a chance to stick into the season, even after Green’s return.

In addition to adding Apple, the 49ers also saw the return to the field of wide receiver Ricky Pearsall. The second-year receiver had been placed on the active/physically unable to perform list a little over a week ago with a hamstring injury, but he’s now passed his physical and returned to practice, per Nick Wagoner of ESPN.

NFL Minor Transactions: 7/25/25

July 25th, 2025 at 6:43pm CST by Ely Allen

Friday’s minor moves as we head into the weekend:

Carolina Panthers

Cleveland Browns

Green Bay Packers

Los Angeles Chargers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

NFL Minor Transactions: 7/24/25

July 24th, 2025 at 8:14pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Atlanta Falcons

Chicago Bears

Detroit Lions

Miami Dolphins

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  • Signed: G Michael Jordan, OL Tyler McLellan
  • Waived/injured: OL Silas Dzansi
  • Placed on reserve/retired list: OT Garret Greenfield

Washington Commanders

Following rumblings yesterday that Artie Burns may have suffered a season-ending injury, the bad news was confirmed today, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Dolphins cornerback indeed suffered a torn ACL. It’s a tough break for the veteran, who’s looking to revive his NFL career after being limited to only four games with the Seahawks last season. The Dolphins were quick to sign a replacement, as Miami signed Cornell Armstrong. A former sixth-round pick by the Dolphins, Armstrong last appeared in an NFL game in 2022, when he started four of his nine games for the Falcons.

The Buccaneers did some shuffling on their offensive line today. In comes a pair of lineman: Michael Jordan, who started 11 games for the Patriots last season, and Tyler McLellan, a six-foot-eight, 355-pound lineman out of Campbell. Garret Greenfield, a UDFA in the 2024 draft, has apparently decided to hang up his cleats, and the team also moved on from Silas Dzansi with an injury designation.

The Commanders were looking ahead to 2026 today, as the team added an extra year to Percy Butler‘s contract. The former fourth-round pick has had some run in the starting lineup, including a 2023 season where he started 13 games while compiling 64 tackles and eight passes defended. He started five of 17 games in 2024 while establishing himself as one of Washington’s special teams aces.

WR Notes: Godwin, Rice, Hill, 49ers

July 23rd, 2025 at 5:36pm CST by Sam Robinson

Chris Godwin missed the final 11 games of the Buccaneers‘ season, counting their wild-card loss, but still commanded a high-end free agency deal. Given a three-year contract worth $66MM, Godwin turned down at least one more lucrative offer (from the Patriots) to stay in Tampa. But his return from a dislocated ankle will not commence in earnest for a bit. Tampa Bay placed Godwin on its active/PUP list to open training camp, doing so after the veteran wide receiver did not participate in any OTAs or minicamp work. Godwin needed a second procedure on his ankle, according to ESPN’s Jenna Laine.

While Laine classifies this operation as minor, Godwin’s status bears monitoring. Todd Bowles did not confirm the wideout would be available for the Bucs’ opener, saying he was hopeful the longtime Mike Evans sidekick would be ready. The Bucs are loaded at receiver, drafting Emeka Egbuka in Round 1 following 2024 third-rounder Jalen McMillan‘s eight-touchdown rookie season, but this will be a storyline to follow during training camp. Tristan Wirfs is already expected to miss early-season time because of arthroscopic knee surgery. Godwin’s second surgery costing him regular-season time would be a tough break for the four-time reigning NFC South champs, but they have been patient with the former third-round pick’s injuries before. Though, Godwin did make it back by Week 1 of the 2022 season despite suffering a ACL and MCL tears in December 2021.

Here is the latest news around the 32 receiver situations:

  • Rashee Rice received a 30-day jail sentence stemming from his involvement in a hit-and-run sequence, but the embattled Chiefs wideout may not end up serving any time due to deferred adjudication. Completing the probationary process would allow Rice to avoid the prison stint. Rice is also practicing fully with the Chiefs to open training camp (via The Athletic’s Jenna West), avoiding the active/PUP list after missing most of last season with an LCL tear. With a Rice legal resolution emerging, a suspension should be expected in 2025. The 30-day sentence aside, the Chiefs do not have to act here. The organization has dealt with many high-profile instances involving off-field trouble, including a few at receiver, over the past several years. No team-imposed ban should be expected, as an expected NFL suspension will cover the discipline.
  • One of the previous players embroiled in off-field controversies in Kansas City, Tyreek Hill is now in Year 4 in Miami. Like Rice, the Dolphins talent is full go at training camp, NFL.com’s Cameron Wolfe tweets. Hill, who underwent wrist surgery this offseason, avoided a PUP placement and will work toward recapturing his Hall of Fame-level form of 2022 and ’23. He is coming off a down 2024, a season that featured him battle ailments in both wrists. A training camp return has been expected, and the 10th-year vet is on schedule. Hill was a partial offseason participant, but camp represents his first chance to catch passes since the offseason surgery.
  • Before signing Equanimeous St. Brown, the 49ers auditioned veteran kick returner Brandon Powell, Wilson adds. The 5-foot-8 performer operated as the Rams and Vikings’ primary kick returners in recent years. He has been a regular kick returner throughout the 2020s. Powell spent the past two seasons with the Vikings, following Kevin O’Connell to Minnesota. He worked as the Vikes’ primary kick returner in that span.

Minor NFL Transactions: 7/22/25

July 22nd, 2025 at 8:42pm CST by Ben Levine

With training camps kicking off around the NFL, teams continue to make adjustments to their rosters. Here are today’s minor moves:

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

  • Waived: DT Dante Barnett
  • Placed on active/NFI: RB Zack Moss

Cleveland Browns

Green Bay Packers

  • Signed: K Mark McNamee

Houston Texans

  • Waived: CB Keydrain Calligan

Jacksonville Jaguars

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

  • Waived: OT Savion Washington

Miami Dolphins

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

New York Jets

  • Waived: OT Obinna Eze

San Francisco 49ers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

Kyle Shanahan: Jauan Jennings Hasn’t Formally Requested Trade

July 22nd, 2025 at 7:44pm CST by Ben Levine

A report last week indicated that 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings either wanted a new contract or a trade. The veteran is still expected to report to training camp tomorrow, and 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed that his wideout hasn’t formally requested out of San Francisco (per ESPN’s Nick Wagoner).

[RELATED: 49ers WR Jauan Jennings Seeking Extension Or Trade]

Jennings signed a two-year deal last spring that replaced his second-round RFA tender. He proceeded to have a career season as the 49ers navigated a number of injuries. Jennings finished the 2024 campaign with 77 catches for 975 yards and six touchdowns. Set to earn $3.28MM in salary guarantees in 2025 (plus an option bonus of $1.12MM on September 1), the impending free agent is now seeking some long-term security.

With Deebo Samuel no longer on the team and Brandon Aiyuk recovering from a torn ACL, the 49ers are set to be even more dependent on Jennings in 2025. The 49ers front office has dealt with plenty of contract drama at the position in recent years, but Jennings’ lack of track record makes this situation a bit more unique. It remains to be seen if Jennings will carry through with his trade-request threat, and for the time being, it appears both sides will proceed as planned.

If Jennings does suddenly pivot to a holdout or trade request, the 49ers will have to dig even deeper into their depth chart. 2024 first-round pick Ricky Pearsall would likely lead the group, although he’s currently nursing a hamstring issue that landed him on PUP. The team brought in some reinforcement at the position this offseason, signing veterans Demarcus Robinson and Isaiah Hodgins while drafting Jordan Watkins (fourth round) and Junior Bergen (seventh round). The team is also rostering 2024 fourth-round pick Jacob Cowing.

The 49ers could also count on an eventual return for Aiyuk, although it sounds like the star receiver’s comeback is still a ways off. GM John Lynch told reporters today that Aiyuk is still “not anywhere close to having a concrete timeline” (per ESPN’s Adam Schefter). Aiyuk suffered his knee injury in late-October, and it seems like he’s destined to miss at least the first four games of the upcoming campaign.

DT Khalil Davis Retires

July 21st, 2025 at 10:21am CST by Adam La Rose

Khalil Davis remains unsigned as training camps open around the league. In lieu of continuing to pursue a free agent deal, the defensive tackle is hanging up his cleats.

Davis’ agent informed ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on Monday of the news. As a result of the decision to end his NFL career, Davis will depart the league at the age of 28. His brother Carlos Davis has not officially retired but he last played in the regular season in 2022 and did not catch on with a team after being among the Bengals’ final cuts last summer.

Khalil Davis was selected one round earlier than his brother in the 2020 draft. Joining Tampa Bay as a sixth-rounder, he made a pair of regular season appearances with the team. Midway through the following season, however, Davis was waived. He played one game with the Colts before bouncing around the Steelers, Rams and Buccaneers’ practice squads.

The Nebraska product signed with the Texans ahead of the 2023 campaign, and it was with Houston that his largest workload emerged. Davis made 24 regular season appearances with the team; in 2023 his defensive snap share of 41% was the highest of his career. He remained with the Texans through the beginning of last season and remained a rotational member of the team’s defensive line. Davis was dealt to the 49ers just before the trade deadline, and he finished out the campaign in San Francisco as a result.

As a member of the Buccaneers during their Super Bowl win in 2020, Davis departs the game with a championship to his name. He added just over $4MM in career earnings while making a combined total of 34 regular and postseason appearances.

49ers Release S George Odum

July 19th, 2025 at 7:23pm CST by Ely Allen

7:23pm: Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports Odom underwent offseason elbow surgery. That explains his recent NFI designation as well as the decision to release him. Odom should be sidelined for another six to eight weeks, per Rapoport; once healthy, he will be a candidate to re-sign with San Francisco.

4:58pm: Days after placing him on the active/non-football injury list with an undisclosed ailment, the 49ers have made the decision to release veteran safety George Odum, per Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. Though, never a true starter in the San Francisco secondary, Odum earned second-team All-Pro honors as a special teamer in his first season with the team.

Odum’s special teams play was the reason that he found a home in the NFL to begin with. As an undrafted safety out of Central Arkansas in 2018, Odum signed with the Colts and made the initial 53-man roster because of his contributions on special teams. As a selfless, hard-working contributor, Odum was often called off the bench for spot starts and fill-in duty in the secondary. In his third season in Indianapolis, Odum was named as the first-team All-Pro special teamer in recognition of his contributions.

In the final year of his rookie contract in Indy, Odum started seven games due to injuries to starters Julian Blackmon and Andrew Sendejo. Still, when his contract expired, Odum signed with San Francisco because of his special teams abilities. In his first two years with the 49ers, he didn’t see any extended time on defense, almost solely working on special teams. Last year, though, Talanoa Hufanga‘s absence forced Odum into the starting lineup for the first two games of the season, and he got time in a Week 6 game in Seattle, as well, when Malik Mustapha exited early with an injury.

Odum hasn’t been immune to injuries himself, though, these past two seasons. His 2023 campaign ended after 11 games when he suffered a torn biceps injury, and he only played 12 games last year because of a knee injury late in the season.

Odum’s release continues an offseason of special teams changes under new special teams coordinator Brant Boyer. The team is already heading into the 2025 season with a new longsnapper and punter, and veteran kicker Greg Joseph was brought in as some offseason competition for Jake Moody, as well. Odum was just the latest special teamer to fall under the new position coach.

Still, Odum is an extremely talented special teams asset, and for teams in need of depth at safety, Odum’s three interceptions, nine passes defensed, and four forced fumbles in limited time are nothing to scoff at. Expect a few teams to kick the tires on Odum and evaluate his health in the runup to the 2025 regular season.

NFL Minor Transactions: 7/18/25

July 18th, 2025 at 8:31pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are today’s minor NFL transactions as we head into the weekend:

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

San Francisco 49ers

The Lions have added three players to the roster today after a working them out. Bootle has had a cup of coffee with a few teams in the league after going undrafted in 2021. Small didn’t see the field at all as an undrafted rookie with the Titans last year, and Russell becomes the latest undrafted rookie free agent to sign a deal this year. His tenacity has been rewarded two and a half months after the draft.

49ers Sign Second-Round DT Alfred Collins

July 16th, 2025 at 10:56pm CST by Ely Allen

It’s the 49ers to the rescue! After waiting in a holding pattern since May 9, we’ve finally seen a third second-round pick sign their rookie contract. Texas defensive tackle Alfred Collins is the player to break the standstill after signing his rookie contract with the 49ers, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.

San Francisco doubled down on improving its defensive line after selecting Mykel Williams in the first round the night before. Many expected the 49ers to address the interior of the line on Day 1, but Collins fell to them in the second round all the same. A fifth-year senior (thanks to an extra year of eligibility from the COVID-19 season), Collins made impacts early and often as a contributor on the Longhorns defense.

Despite only starting 12 games in his first four years, Collins found plenty of ways to make an impact with 12.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, and six passes defensed over that time. He became a full-time starter for the first time in 2025 and made the most of his opportunity, setting career highs in tackles (55), tackles for loss (5.5), and passes defensed (7). He serves as more of a run stopper than a pass rusher, but he’s an elite tackler with impressive durability.

The losses of Javon Hargrave and Maliek Collins were a big reason that many expected San Francisco to go for an interior defensive lineman early. Jordan Elliott returns as a starter to the line’s interior from last year, but the spot next to him is currently being manned by Kevin Givens, who started 11 games in 2022 but has only started two since. It didn’t take long for the Niners to express hopes that Collins would be able to step into a starting role next to Elliott soon.

Normally, this post would stop here, after focusing on the 49ers wrapping up their draft class signings and showing how Collins can affect the roster in 2025, but this signing has a bigger impact on the NFL outside of the Bay Area. Collins’ signing could create a domino effect of signings for the other 29 second-round picks who remained unsigned around the league.

After the Texans and Browns awarded Jayden Higgins and Carson Schwesinger, respectively, fully guaranteed contracts, Saints second-round pick Tyler Shough became the rookie to watch. As a quarterback, Shough sought the same guarantees as his fellow second-rounders. This left pick Nos. 35-39, between Higgins and Shough, sitting on their hands, waiting to see if Shough was granted those guarantees, ready to demand the same of their teams as players drafted higher than Shough.

The rest of the second round has been in a holding pattern, as well. In theory, T.J. Sanders, picked just after Shough, would be able to at least try to get the same from Buffalo, if not just under. That strategy would theoretically have continued pick after pick, with each player using the rookie ahead of them as the comparison to work off of. Collins, though, has broken the hold, receiving guarantees for $9MM of his $10.3MM deal, an 88-percent guarantee. Everyone ahead of him will likely continue to wait on Shough, but the rest of the second round can now start to use Collins’ deal as a launching point. This should result in several second-round deals being made in the days to come.

With that out of the way, here’s a final look at the 49ers’ fully signed rookie class:

Load More Posts