Brandin Cooks Signed With 49ers Practice Squad
The veteran receiver joins the San Francisco practice squad to provide depth amid team injuries.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Football
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Brandin Cooks has signed with the San Francisco 49ers practice squad following a wave of injuries to the team receiving corps. The organization plans to integrate Cooks into the system before potentially elevating him to the active roster.
Why it matters
The signing addresses critical receiver depth issues for the 49ers after multiple key players sustained injuries. Cooks brings extensive experience, including a 9,811-yard career total, to a team recently successful against the Los Angeles Rams.
Cooks recorded 80 catches for 1,204 receiving yards during his 2018 campaign with the Los Angeles Rams. He currently sits 189 yards away from reaching the 10,000 career receiving yards milestone.
The players
Brandin Cooks
He is a veteran wide receiver who has accumulated 9,811 career receiving yards across multiple NFL franchises.
Demarcus Robinson
He is an NFL wide receiver who recently sustained a high ankle sprain affecting the 49ers depth chart.
San Francisco 49ers
They are a professional football team based in San Francisco competing in the NFL.
Los Angeles Rams
They are a professional football team that most recently played the 49ers on September 10, 2026.
The details
The decision to add Cooks comes after Demarcus Robinson sustained a high ankle sprain, joining Ricky Pearsall, De'Zhaun Stribling, and Mike Evans on the injury list. The 49ers defeated the Los Angeles Rams 27-7 in Melbourne, Australia, on September 10, 2026, and seek to bolster their lineup for the remainder of the season.
Timeline
2018: Brandin Cooks recorded 1,204 receiving yards while playing for the Los Angeles Rams.
April 2020: The Rams traded Cooks to the Houston Texans.
September 10, 2026: The 49ers defeated the Rams 27-7 in Melbourne.
September 22, 2026: Brandin Cooks officially joined the 49ers practice squad.
December 13, 2026: The 49ers and Rams are next scheduled to face each other.
Season Trajectory
The addition of an experienced veteran like Cooks provides the 49ers with a strategic safety net to maintain their competitive edge in the division. This move helps the team manage roster volatility as they look to build upon their early-season victory over the Los Angeles Rams.
The signing offers the 49ers a contingency plan for their passing attack while managing the recovery timelines of injured starters. For fantasy managers or fans monitoring the team, the key metric remains the 189 yards Cooks needs to reach the 10,000 career yardage milestone.
The takeaway
Adding a veteran receiver provides the 49ers coaching staff with necessary flexibility to develop their offensive schemes despite mounting injuries. Readers should watch for roster adjustments that may occur as the team moves closer to their December 13 meeting with the Rams.
Further reading
For more news regarding team updates and roster changes, visit Football.
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