The San Francisco 49ers have signed Brandin Cooks to the practice squad to possibly address the hole in their receiving corps after Mike Evans suffered a hip injury against the Miami Dolphins in Week 2.
While Evans is still day-to-day, the 49ers hope that Cooks can provide firepower and be a productive target for Brock Purdy. Cooks played for the New Orleans Saints and the Buffalo Bills last season, tallying 24 receptions for 279 yards.
The veteran wideout admitted that he jumped at the chance to play for the 49ers, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle's Harrison Rich.
“He said John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan FaceTimed him, and the decision to join the Niners was ‘kind of a no-brainer,'” wrote Rich on X.
In the video posted by Rich, the 32-year-old Cooks expressed his admiration for Shanahan.
“I've always thought the world of Coach Shanahan and his offensive mind,” added Cooks.
“I've been playing against him in the same division years ago, and his ability to get guys open moving around—whether it be running around some of the motion. There's always something going on within his offense.”
Brandin Cooks is here.
He said John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan FaceTimed him and the decision to join the Niners was “kind of a no-brainer.”
“I've always thought the world of Coach Shanahan and just his offensive mind.” pic.twitter.com/CFWFhGsrbH
— Harrison Rich (@harrisonrich_) September 23, 2026
He attended his first practice on Wednesday and sounded excited for his new chapter. He said he is willing to do anything to earn the trust of Shanahan.
“Obviously, year in and year out, they have a shot. For me personally, I just go out here to show that I can still play at a high level, and I'll be able to do that under one of the masterminds of the game in terms of offense,” said Cooks.
He has a lot of catching up to do, and it remains unclear if he will be activated against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.