The San Francisco 49ers opened their season with a gritty win in Seattle. But the victory came with a price. Injuries have already begun to chip away at their offensive firepower, leaving Kyle Shanahan scrambling for answers before the schedule ramps up. The head coach will now be leaning on depth pieces and some familiar names to keep the machine humming.

One of those familiar names is Kendrick Bourne. The veteran wideout signed a one-year deal worth up to $5 million, marking a return to the team that gave him his NFL start in 2017. Bourne wasted no time sharing his excitement, reposting the 49ers’ “Welcome back” message with a simple but telling line: “Feels great to be back!!” For San Francisco fans, his energy feels like a spark at the right time.

That spark is badly needed. Jauan Jennings is dealing with a shoulder injury, George Kittle is sidelined by a hamstring issue, Brandon Aiyuk is recovering from knee surgery, and Demarcus Robinson is serving a suspension. Bourne’s reintroduction feels less like a luxury and more like a necessity. “We’re pumped to have him back here,” Shanahan said, noting that Bourne will be evaluated on the practice field this week. With the offense shorthanded, his timing couldn’t be better.

Having been released by the Patriots in late August, Bourne arrives healthy after a foot injury in training camp. So, the team can expect him to be ready for action in Week 2 against the Saints. He brings a reliable track record with him. Across his years in San Francisco and New England, he has caught 292 passes for 3,714 yards, scoring 22TDs. He is familiar with Shanahan’s system and should allow him to slot in quickly. Also providing much-needed stability as the team weathers its early-season injury storm.

Meanwhile, the 49ers also shored up their offensive line by finalizing a three-year, $45 million extension with right tackle Colton McKivitz. Between returning veterans and emerging rookies, San Francisco will need every available hand to maintain its winning start to 2025.

49ers waive Jake Moody after costly misses despite Kyle Shanahan’s assurance

Just days after their narrow 17-13 win over Seattle, the 49ers made a stunning move, waiving kicker Jake Moody. The decision came despite head coach Kyle Shanahan insisting after the game that there was “no question” Moody would suit up in Week 2. Until the question became an unwatchable tape of highlights.

Moody’s struggles in Week 1 were costly. He missed from 27 yards, had another kick blocked, and connected only once from 32 yards. On two fourth downs, Shanahan chose to keep the offense on the field rather than trust him. The teammates’ frustration was visible on the sideline.

Shanahan initially defended Moody. “Right now, I have no question,” he said after the game, brushing off speculation. But by Monday, his tone shifted. “We’re looking into all that stuff now,” Shanahan admitted. He confirmed the front office was evaluating options ranging from standing pat to adding a practice-squad leg.

Until they turned to Eddy Pineiro as a short-term fix. Pineiro broke into the league with the Bears in 2019, hitting 23 of 28 field goals in what remains the roughest season of his career. After missing 2020, he resurfaced with the Jets in 2021 and went a perfect 8-for-8 before landing with the Panthers, where he spent the next three years drilling 80 of 90 field goals and 80 of 87 extra points.

His 88.1 percent career mark ranks fourth all-time behind only Justin Tucker, Harrison Butker, and Chris Boswell. For the 49ers, the goal is simple: stop worrying about whether the kicker will do his job. It was a headache that plagued Jake Moody’s final stretch and spilled into 2025. Even with Jake Tonges’ late touchdown bailing them out in Seattle, the bigger storyline heading into Week 2 is that San Francisco will have a leg to trust in when called upon.