What happened: Free agent wide receiver Brandin Cooks is joining the San Francisco 49ers practice squad. The 13-year veteran returns to the NFC West following a 2025 campaign split between New Orleans and Buffalo. He will initially use the practice assignment to get up to game speed.

Why it matters: San Francisco requires immediate depth after losing Ricky Pearsall, De'Zhaun Stribling and Demarcus Robinson to injury this season. Cooks provides experienced insurance for an offense dealing with mounting attrition. His familiarity with the division from his Los Angeles Rams tenure could accelerate his integration.

What to watch: Cooks will participate in practice sessions to learn the playbook before any potential elevation to the active roster.