49ers Sign WR Quintez Cephus After Multiple Receiver Injuries

The San Francisco 49ers signed wide receiver Quintez Cephus to a one-year contract following a hamstring injury to second-year wideout Jacob Cowing, who is expected to miss several weeks of training camp. To make roster space, the team waived running back Israel Abanikanda. Cephus, drafted in 2020 by the Detroit Lions, has played 22 NFL games with 37 receptions, 568 yards, and four touchdowns but has not appeared in a regular-season game since 2022. The 49ers face a depleted wide receiver corps, also missing Brandon Aiyuk due to ACL and MCL recovery and Ricky Pearsall starting camp on the PUP list with a hamstring injury. Cephus will provide additional depth and practice support for quarterback Brock Purdy amid these setbacks, while veteran Jauan Jennings is expected to take on a larger role following Deebo Samuel's trade to the Washington Commanders. The team is making several under-the-radar moves to compensate for injuries and maintain competitiveness as the 2025 season approaches.