Injuries have left the San Francisco 49ers absolutely scrambling for available options at wide receiver with the regular season commencing in just over a week.
Seriously, it's not a good situation.
About the only healthy wideout on the Niners roster with name recognition is Ricky Pearsall, who's likely to be joined by C-list pass catchers in Week 1 and beyond if general manager John Lynch doesn't make some desperate moves.
Desperation has already been part of the game, too, with San Francisco re-signing veteran Russell Gage Jr. and placing Marquez Valdes-Scantling on the practice squad while it awaits healthy returns from better-known wideouts like Brandon Aiyuk (knee) and Jauan Jennings (calf).
Who knows when those latter two end up returning?
Fortunately, signs are pointing to a solid contingency plan for Lynch and Co., and it involves bringing back an old friend who suddenly became available, veteran wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, who only recently found himself released by the New England Patriots.
All signs point to Kendrick Bourne re-signing with 49ers
On the Thursday following leaguewide roster cuts, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported the 30-year-old Bourne was scheduled to visit the 49ers the upcoming Monday, followed by a visit with the Washington Commanders the day after:
Free agent WR Kendrick Bourne is visiting the #49ers on Monday and #Commanders on Tuesday, source said. The framework of a deal is in place for both -- just in case.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 28, 2025
The fact there are deals "in place" gives an edge to the Niners, of course, who appear to have first dibs.
Bourne started off his NFL career in San Francisco in 2017 as an undrafted free-agent pickup, turning into a solid tertiary receiver over his four-year tenure in the Bay Area before heading east to join the Pats as a free agent in 2021.
Part of the 49ers' response to Bourne's departure was to draft and develop Jennings, whose own future is murky as he enters the final year of his current contract while dealing with injuries.
As for Bourne, while being on the wrong side of 30 years old works against him, as does a recent foot injury, yet familiarity with head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense and the opportunity to almost immediately be slotted in as a No. 2 wideout behind Pearsall has to be viewed as a bonus.
Considering the other viable options the Niners have at the moment, reuniting with Bourne might be the best possible outcome to navigate what has otherwise been a nightmare at wide receiver this summer.