WR · SF
transaction
Waiver: Jacob Cowing added
sleeper-tx-waiver+3 stories · 30dSource unavailable
Adds: Jacob Cowing
Jacob Cowing
WR · SF · 25 yrs · exp 2 · Arizona
Status
- Game status
- Active
- Injury
- Questionable
Keep Trade Cut (SF TEP)
From latest snapshot · trend vs ~7d prior when data allows.
Value
1,204
Rank
#372
Pos rank
#150
7d trend
—
Value history (90d)
One snapshot point per calendar day (shown in your timezone).
Latest: Sep 7, 2026 · 1,204
News
Stories linked to this player — newest first.
analyst
Jordan Watkins Makes His Final Case In Busy Preseason
Jordan Watkins, a 2025 fourth-round pick, had a busy preseason finale for the 49ers, recording a team-high eight targets with four receptions for 64 yards, along with 27 rushing yards and 62 return yards. Despite seeing significant preseason usage, Watkins is unlikely to make a fantasy impact this season due to a crowded wide receiver depth chart featuring players like Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel Sr., and Christian Kirk, and should be ignored in fantasy drafts
general
Report: Mike Evans expects to play Week 1
Despite a groin injury and limited practice time, 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans is reportedly expected to be ready for Week 1. Head coach Kyle Shanahan anticipates his return to practice next week, with the injury being described as minor
WR · SF
general
Jim Harbaugh was not happy with punter JK Scott's performance on touchdown return
Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh expressed displeasure with punter JK Scott's performance on an 83-yard punt return touchdown by Jacob Cowing. Harbaugh cited a short, center-field punt and being out-flanked as issues, and stated Scott needs to improve his tackling in such situations. Scott is the only punter on the roster
WR · SF
general
Kyle Shanahan: Jacob Cowing is making punt return decision easier
Jacob Cowing impresses in preseason game, making a strong case for a roster spot
WR · SF
general
Kyle Shanahan: Jacob Cowing is making punt return decision easier
Jacob Cowing making strong case for roster spot
WR · SF
WR · SF
general
Deebo Samuel is officially back to wearing No. 19 in San Francisco
New 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel’s new number will be the same as old 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel’s old number. Samuel will officially wear the No. 19 jersey, the NFL’s transaction report confirmed today. That’s no surprise, as it’s the number he had been wearing in practice. A 2019 second-round pick of the 49ers, Samuel wore No. 19 for his first five seasons in San Francisco before switching to No. 1, which he wore both in high school and at South Carolina, in 2024. He stayed No. 1 last year with the Commanders, but now he’s back in San Francisco and back to his original jersey number. Before Samuel arrived, 49ers wide receiver Jacob Cowing had been wearing No. 19. Cowing is now wearing No. 6
general
Injuries left 49ers without 20 players by the end of Wednesday's practice
Injuries have been a major storyline at 49ers camp so far this summer and Wednesday’s practice was no exception. The team opened the session without 18 members of their 90-man roster on the field and the number of injured players grew to 20 when defensive end Sam Okuayinonu (ankle) and guard Nick Zakelj (elbow) made an early exit. Per multiple reports, the 49ers were also without offensive lineman Carver Willis (concussion), fullback Kyle Juszczyk (finger), wide receiver Jacob Cowing (hip flexor), offensive lineman Brett Toth (undisclosed) defensive end Nick Bosa (soreness), defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa (soreness), linebacker Dre Greenlaw (soreness), wide receiver Christian Kirk (calf), wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling (hamstring), wide receiver Mike Evans (quad), safety Malik Mustapha (hamstring), running back Kaelon Black (adductor), running back Jordan James (ribs), defensive end Keion White (adductor), and offensive tackle Vederian Lowe (ankle). Tight end George Kittle (Achilles), defensive end Mykel Williams (knee), and running back Isaac Guerendo (pec) have not practiced at all in camp and remain on the physically unable to perform list. They have also placed five players, including wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, on injured reserve and head coach Kyle Shanahan has not resumed a full workload following a pre-camp car accident
WR · SF
analyst
Jacob Cowing Dealing with Hip-Flexor Strain
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jacob Cowing (hip) did not practice on Wednesday due to a hip flexor strain. Cowing has missed time so far this offseason, dealing with a hamstring injury during OTAs and most of the 2025 season, and now a hip flexor strain that may cost him additional practice time. The 2024 fourth-round pick has caught just four passes for 80 yards in his NFL career, largely because of injury-related absences. With most players taking 1-3 weeks to recover from a hip flexor strain, Cowing will need to perform at a high level upon his return to make the 49ers' final roster
WR · SF
analyst
Jacob Cowing (hip) misses practice Wednesday
Jacob Cowing did not practice on Wednesday due to a hip flexor strain
general
Which 49ers player will be the biggest standout during training camp?
We are a few days away from the San Francisco 49ers’ entire team reporting to training camp. We’ll see how often Kyle Shanahan gives veterans like Trent Williams and Christian McCaffrey days off. We know players like Nick Bosa , George Kittle , and Mykel Williams are recovering from season-ending injuries. That opens the door for some other players on the roster to make a name for themselves and catch the eyes of the coaching staff. That’s especially true for the new faces on the roster. And there are plenty of those who will look to take advantage of potential openings. Whether that’s Christian Kirk at wide receiver, Robert Jones or Brett Toth at guard, Nate Hobbs in the secondary, or one of the undrafted free agent rookies added on defense, we can expect somebody to stand out. Last season, that was Demarcus Robinson . He was unguardable during training camp. You would have thought he was Brandon Aiyuk the way he was being talked about last August. Unfortunately, that summer success never came to fruition during the season. So, who will be the summer standout this year? My answer: Jacob Cowing In these practice settings, it tends to be the wide receiver, much like Robinson a year ago. I’ll go with the player who I think can carry over a strong training camp into the regular season. There will be veteran days off for Mike Evans during training camp and the preseason. That’ll open the door for other wideouts. So I’m going with Jacob Cowing, a guy who adds a speed dimension that the 49ers did not have a season ago. Ricky Pearsall tested extraordinarily well, but, to the eye test, Cowing plays faster than Pearsall. Cowing will be lined up in the slot and off the ball in advantageous matchups against a secondary that does not run well, at least compared to Cowing. Usage matters. Cowing will likely run deep crossing routes or routes with vertical stems. He may have a screen or two mixed in with an underneath route, but he’s a vertical threat. That’ll lead to big plays, splash plays, and “oohs and ahhs” from the crowd. That’ll show in preseason games, as will Cowing’s ability as a returner. He should get enough opportunities returning punts and kicks. It’s another area where Cowing can show off his speed and prove to the coaching staff that he can make an impact
analyst
Christian Kirk's Dynasty Value Fading Entering 2026
Entering 2026, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Christian Kirk could be in line for a starting role in the slot. The veteran wideout battled through both injuries and underperformance as a member of the Houston Texans in 2025, recording 38 catches for 239 yards and one touchdown on 52 targets across 13 games. However, Kirk finished the year on a high note, hauling in 10 catches for 164 yards and two scores on 15 targets across the Texans' two playoff games. Still, Kirk's best days are likely behind him as he enters his age-30 campaign. Kirk has missed 18 games due to injury over the last three seasons, and he's failed to reach 30 catches or 400 receiving yards in either of the last two years. While Kirk may open the year in San Francisco as the team's WR3, the 49ers have a trio of young wideouts who could steal playing time from him in De'Zhaun Stribling, Jacob Cowing, and Jordan Watkins. In dynasty formats, Kirk profiles as a sell candidate ahead of 2026
general
49ers News: Can’t wait to see the offense this season
Former 49ers safety Donte Whitner predicts Kyle Shanahan's offense will be the number one in the NFL this season, highlighting the challenge of defending playmakers like Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, and Ricky Pearsall. The article also touches on the development of Jacob Cowing and the need for improved wide receiver play from Kendrick Bourne and Jauan Jennings, while noting a dip in Brock Purdy's intermediate attempts
general
49ers roster preview: It’s now or never for Jacob Cowing
We haven’t seen Jacob Cowing catch a pass since 2024. The 41-yard pass against the Chiefs in Week 7 of his rookie year feels like an eon ago. He was on the field for 175 snaps that season, mixed between wide receiver and returner. He was a good one. One kickoff return was 32 yards. Multiple punt returns went for double-digits. The fact that Cowing began the season as the starting punt returner tells you how the coaching staff felt about his ability with the ball in his hands. The allure of Cowing is tantalizing. You can throw him a screen, use him down the field, but also capitalize on his speed on intermediate routes. There’s a place for Cowing in Shanahan’s offense any year. The problem is that the last time we saw him, he was sharing the field with Ronnie Bell , Jordan Mason , Chris Conley , Eric Saubert , and a No. 14 wearing Pearsall. The roster is a little different in 2026, and the 49ers still don’t know what they have in Cowing beyond offseason platitudes. Last offseason, Shanahan said Cowing “put in some of the most work that anyone did over the offseason.” This spring, Kyle said, “I was really excited how Jordan and Jake came back. You could tell they came back; it wasn’t just healthy. You could tell they’ve been putting work in. They’ve come here, to me, to play and work.” If every 49ers player were to line up in the end zone and race to mid-field, my money would be on Cowing being the first to cross the 50. He has another gear, and you could see it in OTAs when he was behind the secondary multiple times. Age: 25 Experience: 2 accrued seasons Height: 5’8 Weight: 175 pounds Cowing has two years remaining on his rookie deal. His base salary is $1.075 million in 2026, and he’ll receive $132,177 of his prorated signing bonus. If the 49ers wanted to move on from Cowing, they’d lose his signing bonus in dead money, but save his base salary in cap savings. Cowing hurt his hamstring in OTAs and training camp as a rookie. Then he returned and had another setback in the form of a shoulder injury. Last July, Cowing sustained a serious hamstring strain on the first day of training camp. Then not only did he re-injure it, but he also fully pulled his hamstring during the rehab process. That caused the 49ers to shut him down and place him on the season-long IR. The 49ers toyed with the idea of activating Cowing toward the end of the season, but Shanahan ultimately said it would be unrealistic for him to play . Cowing told reporters that he has addressed his injury issue and that it’s a thing of the past. But history isn’t on his side, and he’ll need to prove he can make it through a training camp before the 49ers can rely on him. Per Sports Info Solutions, 63% of Brock Purdy ’s pass attempts last season came 10 yards or under. While that may fit some narratives, that is not the kind of quarterback Purdy wants to be. He wants to live in the intermediate portion of the field and occasionally uncork it deep. In 2023, his short passes were in the 50th percentile while he targeted the intermediate part of the field 27% of the time. Purdy’s intermediate attempts dipped to 21% last season. That, to me, is not a Purdy stat. That’s a 49ers receiver stat. You’re not going to design an offense that runs routes between 12 and 18 yards when your wideouts consist of Kendrick Bourne and Jauan Jennings . The “swirl” routes were crossed out of the playbook because there were no vertical threats without Pearsall. Below, Cowing is the wideout in motion against Christian Gonzalez —one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL — running a swirl route: Last year, most cornerbacks were squatting on those routes without fear of a vertical threat. You cannot do that with Cowing. And it’s not just stretching the field vertically. Cowing’s addition would allow the 49ers to use him on deep crossing routes where he can use his god-given ability to run away from cornerbacks. That was on full display during OTAs. Cowing would be a couple of steps [... truncated ...]
general
The 49ers had the highest total in this metric dating back to 2017: It’s better to be lucky than good
Even when the San Francisco 49ers had a historic 2023 season offensively, they ranked 25th in DVOA in special teams. They were bottom-three in net kickoff and punt returns. You didn’t notice the poor field position or sloppy returns because you knew the offense would make up for it and get to midfield in a matter of plays. In a mess of a 2024 season, the special teams units finished 31st in DVOA. Field goal, kickoff, kickoff return, and punt teams were all in the bottom five. Calling those units a mess is letting them off lightly. Last season felt like the first time under Kyle Shanahan that the 49ers were competent in multiple areas on special teams. According to DVOA, they were the fifth-best team on kickoff returns. Brian Robinson Jr. averaged 29.1 yards per return. Skyy Moore averaged 27.5 yards. Neither is on the roster. Jacob Cowing ? Jordan Watkins ? Those two were the returners at OTAs, along with undrafted free agent Will Pauling. Would Shanahan allow rookie Kaelon Black? He did it a handful of times during college. Black’s explosive ability would be tempting to throw him out there. The 49ers were also the ninth-best punt return team last year, thanks to Moore. It has been a struggle to find a punt returner under Shanahan. They’ve tried just about everybody, but nobody has stuck. At first, Moore felt like he had just as much of a chance to muff the punt as he would return it. His decision-making was questionable at best before he turned a corner. It’s probably Watkins’ job to lose this season. For as bad as the 49ers’ injuries were in 2025, they were equally as lucky on special teams. You know things are going your way when you block an extra point. That happened in Week 5 against the Rams . The 49ers’ opponents lost 20.5 points of value on field goals last year. They were comically bad. We’re not sure what kind of sorcery Shanahan used. Maybe it was the football gods’ way of evening things out with injuries. The 49ers’ opponents made 21 of 32 field goals last year. That is 20% below the league average. None of those field goal attempts were blocked. Just misses. As unexplainable as that is, it’s not something the team can bank on moving forward. The 49ers led the league in hidden points a year ago, in large part due to their opponents’ blunders. We have to give credit where it’s due. Eddy Pineiro’s only miss was a rushed 64-yard attempt before halftime in Week 17. That consistency, paired with the other team’s kickers, led the 49ers to having the highest total of hidden special teams points since the 2017 Rams. In fact, according to FTN’s database, it was the fifth-highest total since 1977. And to think the 49ers can improve on their 23rd-ranked punt team and 21st-ranked kickoff unit. Water will find its level. Opposing kickers are going to make more than two-thirds of their kicks. Pineiro is probably going to miss a kick before Christmas. Last year proved that it’s better to be lucky than good if you’re the 49ers’ special teams units. Brant Boyer is hoping some of that luck seeps into the 2026 season
general
Which 49ers training camp battle are you looking forward to the most?
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NCAA. Throughout the year, we ask questions of the most plugged-in Niners fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys. The San Francisco 49ers rookies are a couple of days away from reporting to training camp. We are 11 days away from an open practice for fans. So today’s survey question is: which training camp battle are you looking forward to the most? Mike Evans , Ricky Pearsall , and De’Zhaun Stribling figure to be the usual suspects on offense this season. But there could be games where Christian Kirk, Jordan Watkins , or Jacob Cowing have a few splash plays. Or, to take it a step further, solidify themselves as a genuine threat, even if only for a short stretch. WR4 can quickly turn into WR3 and somebody the offense relies on if any injury arises. So while one of these three might be in the shadows early on in the season, that could change by midseason. The position with the most unknowns is left guard. Connor Colby , Carver Willis, Brett Toth , and Robert Jones all have a realistic chance of winning the job. It won’t be easy for Willis as a rookie. Colby is a second-year pro who was played off the field last season. Jones has had one season as a starter since 2021 and is coming off a serious neck injury. Toth is undersized and probably better at center. No answer would be surprising, which is what makes this the most intriguing battle and probably the most important. There may not be much of a battle at all here. Then again, nobody expected Marques Sigle to be the Week 1 starter at safety last year. Raheem Morris watched a few OTA practices, and the 49ers went on to sign safety Ashtyn Davis . That was telling. Whether it’s a veteran who isn’t on the roster yet or an undrafted free agent like Larry Worth III , a backup will have an opportunity to push Malik Mustapha and Ji’Ayir Brown for playing time. Well, maybe not the former, but after last season, neither job should be safe. Far from a flashy position, but it’s been critical to this defense over the years. Nick Martin , Luke Gifford , and Jaden Dugger are likely the trio competing for the SAM linebacker spot. They’ll have more opportunities under Morris with how he likes to walk linebackers down to the line of scrimmage. Gifford has the experience, but he was a nightmare in coverage last year. Opposing offenses hunted him whenever he was on the field. The 49ers might want to see what they have in their third-round pick from a year ago, but Dugger’s length and versatility make him a better fit for the position— on paper, at least. Another position where it might be one player one week, and the other guy the following week. We’re fully expecting Bobby Turner and Kyle Shanahan to ride the hot hand behind Christian McCaffrey . 49ers fans are convinced Kaelon Black will have more yards from scrimmage and win the job. I lean toward Jordan James for his down-to-down ability as a runner, while acknowledging Black is the higher draft pick and likely to get the first opportunity. If McCaffrey is healthy, he’s unlikely to come off the field on passing downs. But you don’t want to run him into the ground. At this point, James might be a more natural runner, while Black is more of a change-of-pace back. McCaffrey won’t see the field during the preseason —he shouldn’t—which means James and Black will have ample opportunities to prove they can be trusted once the games actually count
general
2 surprise cut candidates for the 49ers ahead of training camp
With training camp approaching and the final cut-down date on August 30th, the San Francisco 49ers may make some surprising roster moves. Potential veterans on the chopping block include a consistent lineman and a 10-year wide receiver, as the team looks to integrate new free-agent signings and draft picks. A safety is also mentioned as a possible cut, depending on the development of younger players and potential offseason acquisitions
general
49ers News: The entire 2026 rookie class is officially signed
Mac Jones on 49ers choosing Lance over him, why he was meant to join Shanahan “And I felt like I had really good interviews,” Jones said. “Kyle really liked what I was doing on Zoom. My Zoom setup was incredible. I had the whiteboard and all the right s–t. I’m like, I’m gonna do this right . So, I had it all, and I would go in there and show tape and try and show them what my superpower is, which is my ability to process and be smart, and also like rip it, and show them that I have that side of me too.” He entered draft night believing he had a legitimate chance to land in San Francisco. “So I think I had good interviews, and leading up to it, I was like feeling good about it,” Jones said. “And I met with a bunch of teams, and a lot of teams thought I was going to be gone, so they didn’t even meet with me. Anyways, so like the day comes, and I ended up not getting picked by them, and I didn’t really know. It was 50/50. We really didn’t [know]. And they went with Trey, which is just fine. And Trey, I know Trey. He’s a good dude. And I think, Kyle, he really wanted me to get back there somehow, like when I went to New England . You could have just picked me at 12,” he said with a laugh. “I don’t know if I’m worth three first-round picks, but s–t, sign me up.” 49ers sign 4th-round pick Gracen Halton to 4-yr, $5.6M deal “ With the move, the 49ers have signed their entire 2026 draft class.” Watch: 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey’s offseason workout routine “As anticipation builds for the 2026 season, new video has surfaced showcasing McCaffrey’s offseason training routine as the star running back prepares for his 10th NFL campaign.” 49ers 90-in-90: Jordan Watkins reminds us of a pair of former Kyle Shanahan receivers “I imagine Watkins will be the Skyy Moore of 2026, but a more complete version. During OTAs, Watkins and Jacob Cowing were the primary kick and punt returners. Rookie wideout Will Pauling mixed in here and there, but the former two are the starters. Watkins was the only one who didn’t muff a punt. Watkins can have the same kind of splash returns as Moore without fielding the ball inside the five-yard line and driving everybody in the stadium crazy in the process. They have similar body types; Watkins ran a 4.37 40, compared to Moore’s 4.41. Moore reaches his top speed quicker, and that’s what made him a successful punt returner. Watkins’ 10-yard split was in the 65th percentile, compared to Moore’s 98th percentile 10-yard split. The team tried to use Moore on offense, but to no avail. He couldn’t shake free, no matter where Kyle Shanahan lined him up. Interestingly enough, Watkins played most of his snaps at “X” as the isolated receiver. He only ran 15 routes, so there’s not much film to go off of Watkins as a rookie. Still, his usage stood out. The first target of the season went from Watkins’ hands on a sail concept, 15 yards downfield from Mac Jones. It’s a pass he should’ve caught, but those are the kind of routes you can run with a 4.3 wideout….Ultimately, Watkins proved he can be used as a blocker and perhaps be the Travis Benjamin-esque type of receiver in Shanahan’s offenses over the years. The wideout that runs the long developing routes down the field when the offense wants to hit the home run. But Watkins must work on his intermediate route running if he’s ever going to be a consistent threat.”
general
Examining the deepest and thinnest position groups for the 49ers
With training camp for the San Francisco 49ers beginning next month, the race for a spot on the 53-man roster will begin. For the 49ers, aside from a few spots, their starting defense and offense are set with multiple players returning from injury. Left guard and one spot on the defensive line in base downs come right to mind as available spots with the chance of a change at safety. With that in mind, which are the deepest and thinnest position groups for the 49ers? Deepest: Quarterback This answer feels like a cop out; however, the combination of Brock Purdy and Mac Jones helped the 49ers finish with 13 wins. It’s fair to wonder where the 49ers would have ended up in 2025 without Jones. Even with the impactful injuries, Jones kept the 49ers winning. Purdy played some of the best football of his career in 2025, but he has been injured during his time as the 49ers’ starter. Having someone like Jones is a huge safety net. Ideally, Jones would never have to take a snap unless the 49ers are involved in a blowout. Either way, the combination of Purdy and Jones is as good as it gets in the NFL. Honorable mention: Wide Receiver The addition of Mike Evans , De’Zhaun Stribling, and Christian Kirk has completely reshaped the receiver room. The reason the receiver group isn’t the deepest position group is the question mark behind Ricky Pearsall on the depth chart. Jordan Watkins ? Demarcus Robinson ? Jacob Cowing ? Thinnest: Linebacker Fred Warner is back and is the best linebacker in the NFL. Dre Greenlaw returned on a one-year deal, and the 49ers shipped Dee Winters to Dallas . The reason this group is ranked as the thinnest is the injury concerns for Greenlaw and the potential replacements. Tatum Bethune filled in as best as he could before his season ended. The 49ers had to turn to Garrett Wallow and Eric Kendricks in a pinch. If Greenlaw misses extended time, Nick Martin will likely fill in, but he has very little NFL experience. The issue with linebacker is much like many spots on the team for the 49ers. Unfortunately, you have to start any statement with “if they stay healthy.” For a longer and more detailed discussion around each position group, check out the video below with Niners Nation’s Andrew Pasquini
WR · SF
outlook
2026 Season Outlook
sleeper-outlook+4 stories · 30dSource unavailable
Cowing, a 2024 fourth-round pick, missed his entire Year 2 campaign in 2025 due to a hamstring injury. As a rookie, he logged 15 regular-season appearances but totaled just four grabs for 80 yards on six targets in that span. As Cowing is under contract through 2027, he figures to get a chance to compete for a depth role in 2026, but with Mike Evans, Christian Kirk and rookie second-rounder De'Zhaun Stribling having joined San Francisco's wide receiver corps this offseason, his best chance to get on the field will be as a punt returner
Data comes from cached Sleeper and KTC snapshots. Values update when the sync jobs run.