Report: San Francisco 49ers sign returning WR Kendrick Bourne

Per reports, the San Francisco 49ers are signing returning WR Kendrick Bourne who spent his first four seasons with the team.

BY BRENDEN NUNES

Sep 8, 2025, 4:58 PM

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The San Francisco 49ers are adding another target for Brock Purdy, bringing back a familiar face.

Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne is reportedly re-signing with San Francisco on a one-year deal worth up to $5 million, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Dealing with a depleted WR room headed into Sunday’s season debut in Seattle, head coach Kyle Shanahan was utilizing tight end George Kittle in the pass game.

Kendrick Bourne is returning home to the San Francisco 49ers on a 1-year deal with a max value of $5 million, per @HenryOrgann and @AgentBigAl of @DisruptiveSports. pic.twitter.com/uBWDQgisSc

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 8, 2025

Now, they’ll have to function without Kittle for “multiple weeks” due to a hamstring injury he suffered in the first half of Sunday’s season opener in Seattle.

Adding Bourne can attempt to help fill that void. The 6’1, 30-year-old spent his first four seasons with the 49ers after going undrafted out of Eastern Washington in 2017.

Four seasons in New England, and now he’s headed back to the Bay Area.

He could help San Francisco deal with their injuries to Aiyuk (ACL), Jordan Watkins (ankle), and Jacob Cowing (hamstring).

Demarcus Robinson is also serving a three-game suspension.

Bourne joins a room featuring the healthy likes of Ricky Pearsall, Skyy Moore, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling in Santa Clara.

He won’t have long to familiarize himself before Week Two in New Orleans, but having played for Shanahan before should simplify his adjustment period.

More San Francisco 49ers coverage on Sactown Sports

Backup tight end Jake Tonges caught a 4-yard touchdown pass from Brock Purdy with 1:34 remaining, helping the San Francisco 49ers rally to defeat the host Seattle Seahawks 17-13 Sunday afternoon.

The Seahawks drove to San Francisco’s 9-yard line in the final minute before defensive end Nick Bosa pushed tackle Abraham Lucas into quarterback Sam Darnold, forcing a fumble. Bosa recovered the ball to clinch the victory.

Tonges, filling in for the injured George Kittle, made his first three career receptions on the deciding drive. On the last, Purdy scrambled and threw a jump ball into the back-right corner of the end zone, where Tonges took the ball away from cornerback Riq Woolen.

Seattle’s Jason Myers kicked a 37-yard field goal with 3:24 left to break a 10-all tie.

Purdy, who signed a $265 million extension in the offseason, completed 26 of 35 passes for 277 yards with two TDs and two interceptions.

The 49ers’ Christian McCaffrey, despite nursing a calf injury, rushed 22 times for 69 yards and had nine receptions for 73 yards.

Ricky Pearsall paced the 49ers’ passing game with 108 yards on four catches.

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