Kendrick Bourne finally reached milestone he thought he'd never get

On one play in the San Francisco 49ers' Monday Night Football victory over the Indianapolis Colts, veteran wide receiver Kendrick Bourne thought he'd finally secured a $500,000 bonus.

Except the would-be catch was ruled incomplete, and Bourne would have to settle for another opportunity.

And those had been rare in previous weeks.

Entering the game, Bourne had 499 receiving yards on the season after signing with the Niners as a free agent ahead of Week 2 to reinforce what was then a depleted receiver room. Thanks to back-to-back 142-yard games in Weeks 3 and 4, it appeared as if a 500-yard threshold would be easy to reach, thereby triggering the aforementioned bonus as part of his contract.

Yet Bourne found himself iced out of San Francisco's offensive game plan, particularly after that side of the ball got healthier, and it was fair to wonder if he was questioning whether or not he'd even get to the goal that seemed so assured not long before.

Even Bourne half-joked about it when he notched 17 yards in Week 15's win over the Tennessee Titans, which put him 1 yard shy of that 500-yard mark:

At least he crossed that threshold now.

Kendrick Bourne finally nets his $500,000 bonus

Bourne didn't have to wait too much longer to finally get that 1 remaining yard, and then some.

Late in the first half, quarterback Brock Purdy found the receiver for an 11-yard gain, ensuring Bourne would have at least 500 yards on the season and would earn that deserved bonus:

"Earn" is the right word, too.

Despite going a stretch of three recent games without a single target, one shouldn't forget how one of those two 142-yard efforts almost single-handedly defeated the Los Angeles Rams back in Week 3. Considering the 49ers' prospects for winning both the NFC West and clinching the No. 1 seed in the conference, that victory over LA looms massive.

Bourne finished the night with three receptions for 27 yards, certainly aided by the fact second-year wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was ruled out with a knee injury.

Regardless of Pearsall's future availability, Bourne's presence has been vital, if for no other reason than insurance.

And he thankfully just cashed in on that insurance policy.