The San Francisco 49ers have to be at least modestly concerned about their wide receiver depth entering training camp.
After all, Brandon Aiyuk is shelved while recovering from last year's torn ACL and MCL, while both Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing are dealing with hamstring injuries.
To alleviate the concerns, the Niners inked veteran wideout Equanimeous St. Brown to a one-year deal after he worked out for the team, but that didn't signal the end of general manager John Lynch's actions to fully restock the depth chart amid the shortages.
So, on day two of camp, news broke San Francisco inked another veteran to help out.
49ers sign Quintez Cephus in latest roster move
On Thursday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the 49ers signed wide receiver Quintez Cephus to a one-year deal, waiving running back Israel Abanikanda in the process:
49ers have signed WR Quintez Cephus to a one-year deal and waived RB Israel Abanikanda.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 24, 2025
As for Abanikanda's cut, it's an indication the Niners are comfortable with their running back depth behind All-Pro Christian McCaffrey, such that it was bolstered during and after last April's NFL Draft via the additions of Jordan James and Corey Kiner.
Cephus, 6-foot-1 and 208 pounds, might be little more than a camp body who sees his tenure in the Bay Area come to a close prior to Week 1.
Not having seen a regular-season game since he was with the Detroit Lions in 2022, Cephus boasts 37 receptions for 568 yards and four touchdowns since joining the league back in 2020 as a Lions fifth-round draft choice.
He also spent offseasons on the rosters of the Houston Texans, Buffalo Bills and, most recently, the Los Angeles Rams, who waived him last June, opening up the door for San Francisco to engineer the free-agent move.
Cephus might have a chance to shine until Pearsall and/or Cowing returns, which might be the best means possible to securing a spot on the 53-man roster, although it still very much seems like a long shot for the 27 year old.