It's no secret the San Francisco 49ers are hurting for wide receivers.
As things stand, the 49ers are set to head into their Week 1 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks with just two healthy wide receivers — Ricky Pearsall and recently acquired Skyy Moore.
Star wideout Brandon Aiyuk will likely be out until Week 6 as he recovers from a torn ACL and MCL, rookie Jordan Watkins is nursing an ankle injury and didn't practice last week, and Jauan Jennings is still working back from a calf injury while also looking for a new contract — though he's since started practicing with the team for the first time this offseason.
Jennings is questionable for the season opener.
San Francisco will also be without Demarcus Robinson for the first three games of the season as he serves a suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy, leaving the team thin at the position.
It's been reported that the 49ers plan to re-sign Russell Gage, whom they just released, to their practice squad and activate him for Sunday's matchup, where he will likely join the team's newest addition Marques Valdes-Scantling.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Wednesday San Francisco had added Valdes-Scantling to its active roster.
A seven-year NFL veteran, Valdes-Scantling is well-traveled. In stints with the Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, and New Orleans Saints, the 30-year-old wideout.
His best season came back in 2020 with the Packers when he logged 33 catches on 63 targets for 690 yards and six touchdowns, both of which were career highs. He split last season with the Bills and Saints, totaling 19 catches, 411 yards, and four touchdowns.
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The timing of Valdes-Scantling's addition couldn't have been better for San Francisco. The USF alum had spent the offseason with the Seahawks after signing a one-year, $5.5 million deal with the team in free agency, but he was released on Aug. 26 as part of the team's final cuts.
Heading into the season opener, the 49ers coaching staff will likely lean on Valdes-Scantling to help them prepare for their Week 1 opponent.
"Obviously, I just spent the last six months with those guys," Valdes-Scantling said, via NBC Sports Bay Area. "I went against those guys every single day. Of course, I'll be able to say, 'Hey, these are the kinds of things that give them trouble' or 'This is the type of coverage they like to play' or 'This is the style of football that these corners like to play.'"
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