The 49ers are bringing back a familiar name after a Tuesday tryout session that came in the wake of a rib injury to Mike Evans.
Dante Pettis, San Francisco’s second-round pick in the 2018 draft, is set to sign with the team again, according to Jordan Schultz. Pettis was among a group of wide receivers who worked out for the 49ers as they looked for help at the position.
Pettis flashed real promise early in his first run with San Francisco. As a rookie, he put up 467 yards and five touchdowns, both still career highs for the former Washington standout.
He also delivered one of his most memorable moments in a 49ers uniform the next season, hauling in a game-winning touchdown in a Week 3 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
After that, though, his chances to make an impact dried up. Pettis did not appear in any of the final five regular-season games or in the team’s Super Bowl run that followed. He played in five games in the 2020 season before being waived.
Since leaving San Francisco, Pettis has spent time with the New York Giants, Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints. He also had a short stint with the Buffalo Bills during training camp this year.
Even with the receiver group dealing with injuries, the 49ers are not expected to lean heavily on Pettis. Still, his familiarity with the offense and his experience give San Francisco a logical option as it tries to add depth to its passing game.
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Sigle pointed to the lesson that came from being benched last season as the turning point in his development, and the early results suggest it stuck. He has logged 192 snaps so far this year, and the jump from where he was as a rookie to where he is now gives San Francisco another encouraging sign that one of its younger defenders is starting to settle in. [Read more 🡒]