Report: Former Cardinals WR J.J. Nelson to sign with 49ers
Aug 14, 2020, 10:23 AM
J.J. Nelson #15 of the Oakland Raiders catches a pass for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
(Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
After spending a year with the Oakland Raiders, former Cardinals wide receiver J.J. Nelson is coming back to the NFC West.
The San Francisco 49ers reportedly plan to sign Nelson and former Rams and Cowboys wide receiver Tavon Austin, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Friday.
San Francisco wide receiver Deebo Samuel may miss some games to start the year with a foot injury.
Nelson, 28, was drafted by the Cardinals in the fifth round in 2015 and got some playing time during the Bruce Arians era. He had 1,375 yards in his three seasons under Arians, getting 162 targets in 42 games.
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In 2018, Nelson’s lone season under the Steve Wilks-led coaching staff, he played 14 games and had only 64 yards.
Last year, in Oakland, the fifth-year pro played two games and had 36 yards.
Now, Nelson will have to fight for an opportunity in San Francisco, led by offensive head coach Kyle Shanahan on the heels of a Super Bowl appearance. Another player in the 49ers’ receiver room: Arizona State draft pick Brandon Aiyuk.
