49ers reunite with WR Kendrick Bourne on one-year deal...

The contract offer was made last week, following a workout in Santa Clara. However, Bourne opted to wait until after Week 1 to weigh his options after also visiting with the Washington Commanders. Bourne, 30, first joined the 49ers in 2017 as an undrafted free agent and spent four seasons in Kyle Shanahan's offense. He later signed with New England in 2021, where he enjoyed his best statistical season—posting 55 receptions for 800 yards and five touchdowns in his first year with the team. Since then, injuries and depth-chart competition have slowed his production, with Bourne averaging just 382 yards per season since that standout 2021 campaign. The veteran has amassed 3,714 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns across his eight NFL seasons. His return to San Francisco comes at a critical time. Jauan Jennings exited Sunday's opener against the Seattle Seahawks with a shoulder injury, while Brandon Aiyuk is still recovering from ACL and MCL injuries, and started the season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Additionally, second-year wideout Jacob Cowing suffered a torn hamstring, and rookie Jordan Watkins, who was inactive on Sunday, is working his way back from a high-ankle sprain. The 49ers will also be without veteran Demarcus Robinson until Week 4 due to a suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. By bringing back Bourne (6-1, 205), the 49ers are betting on his familiarity with Shanahan's system to be a reliable veteran offensive weapon for quarterback Brock Purdy.