When the San Francisco 49ers signed veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks to their practice squad after Week 2, it probably didn't move the needle too much.
Sure, the Niners had receiving shortages, namely with De'Zhaun Stribling and Demarcus Robinson both nursing ankle injuries. But, with Deebo Samuel and Mike Evans poised to handle the lion's share of receiving duties, Cooks' role didn't seem quite as crucial.
Until Week 3's win over the Arizona Cardinals, that is.
Evans was on fire for the first half of the game, pitching a lateral to Samuel for a touchdown, then catching his own on a nice pass from quarterback Brock Purdy.
But, when Evans exited with an apparent upper-body injury, the Niners' growing injury problem compounded.
Thankfully, Cooks is in town.
Mike Evans injury vindicates 49ers signing Brandin Cooks
Granted, Cooks wasn't promoted off the practice squad for Week 3's showdown, as he's still acclimating to head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense.
But, if that process is still ongoing, it'll certainly get expedited in light of Evans' injury.
Subsequent reports said Evans had a rib strain, and it's unclear exactly how much time he'll miss. Perhaps a few weeks, which means Samuel is the lone San Francisco wideout with any name recognition.
True, Cooks is an entirely different player than Evans; the former short-statured and speedy, while the latter is big-bodied and effective at 50-50 grabs.
Still, the 49ers need someone who can make an impact in Evans' absence, and the hope is Cooks can provide just that. Sure, now at 33 years old, it's clear Cooks is way beyond his prime after a well-traveled career around the NFL since he was taken 20th overall by the New Orleans Saints in the 2014 NFL Draft.
Hopefully, Cooks can fill a void not unlike now-Cardinals wide receiver Kendrick Bourne filled a year ago amid that season's slew of receiver injuries.
Bourne worked out well. Now, at least in the interim, the hope is Cooks can do much more of the same with Evans out for the immediate future
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