The San Francisco 49ers are still trying to get over the painful reality of being without star pass-rusher Nick Bosa for the rest of the season in the wake of his torn ACL during Week 3's home victory over the Arizona Cardinals.
In response, according to ESPN's MIke Garafolo, the Niners inked defensive end William Bradley-King to their practice squad after a workout on Tuesday. Bradley-King spent a brief period of time with San Francisco during the preseason to help mitigate a previous rash of injuries befalling head coach Kyle Shanahan's squad, and the defender will now modestly help make up for Bosa's loss.
Bradley-King wasn't the only player the 49ers worked out, though.
According to another report from NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Niners also worked out rookie free-agent safety Shilo Sanders, who originally signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent but was part of the Bucs' pre-Week 1 roster cuts.
Among a slew of DBs today, the #49ers worked out FA S Shiloh Sanders, per the wire.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 23, 2025
General manager John Lynch apparently opted to ink Bradley-King instead of Sanders, although it's still very much possible the still-available safety winds up inking a deal with the red and gold if such a need arises.
Sanders, of course, is the son of a former NFL legend, Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders, currently serving as head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes.
The elder Sanders, who needs no introduction to San Francisco, spent only one season in the red and gold but helped the 49ers win their fifth Super Bowl before joining the archrival Dallas Cowboys a year later.
As for Shilo Sanders, his reputation might not be as big as his brother, quarterback Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns. But the free-agent safety nevertheless garners attention, if for no other reason than football nepotism.
49ers could have fun stockpiling sons of team legends
Playing the imagination game for a minute, the Niners could theoretically load up on the sons of former team legends, doing so all now if they so desired.
Already, wide receiver Terique Owens was on the practice squad, and his Hall of Fame father, Terrell Owens, has to be at least modestly pleased about that. Wide receiver Brendan Rice (you may recognize his dad, Jerry) remains a free agent after spending his rookie 2024 campaign with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Running back Frank Gore Jr., whose father serves as a San Francisco scout, is currently on the Buffalo Bills' practice squad, meaning if the 49ers ever have a pressing need for a tailback, they could theoretically sign the younger Gore to their 53-man roster and have him develop under the watchful eye of his dad.
And if Sanders was to join, it'd be a legacy featurette for the ages.
Fun to think about.