While rumors swirl around the 49ers potentially trading away wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, they decided to cover all their bases on Thursday.
According to NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero, San Francisco is signing veteran wide receiver Robbie Chosen, who had multiple offers but chose a team with an immediate need.
While some may suggest the move signals that the 49ers are preparing to move on from Aiyuk, it must be considered that first-round rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall left Wednesday’s practice after reaggravating his shoulder injury.
The 2024 NFL Draft’s No. 31 overall pick has had an unideal start to his professional career. He suffered a shoulder injury during spring practices and then opened training camp on the non-football injury list with a hamstring issue he suffered while working out alone.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan said pulling Pearsall from practice was a precautionary move. Still, the addition of Anderson hints he may miss more time than previously expected or that he’ll at least be held out of the preseason opener on Saturday.
Anderson, 31, brings a ton of experience to San Francisco’s wide receiver room as he enters the ninth season of his NFL career. Since 2016, he has amassed 379 catches for 5,082 yards and 30 touchdowns.
However, Anderson hasn’t done much lately. He has just 24 receptions for 408 yards and two touchdowns in the past two years with the Miami Dolphins (2023), Arizona Cardinals (2022) and Carolina Panthers (2022).
Nonetheless, he brings some much-needed depth to the 49ers’ wide receiver room, which has dealt with early injuries and an unhappy Aiyuk.
In the meantime, Anderson will battle with wide receivers Deebo Samuel Sr., Jauan Jennings, Chris Conley, Jacob Cowing and others.
As for Aiyuk, he continues his hold-in, hoping to get paid or be dealt somewhere else that will give him the payday he’s looking for.