San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Victor Bolden Jr. will return to the team this week after serving his four-game suspension for a violation of the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances.
Happy to be back with my brothers!! Football I missed you🙌🏾🏈🏈
— Victor Bolden (@vicbolden) October 1, 2018
"Unknowingly, I used a supplement that was on the NFL's banned substance list," said Bolden via a statement issued by the team in June. "As a professional athlete, I take full responsibility for not verifying the ingredients of the supplement."
The 49ers do not need to make a roster move to accommodate for Bolden immediately. The team has a one-week exemption, according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area. A roster move will only be necessary if the team intends to play Bolden on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. Otherwise, it has until next Monday to make a decision.
The roster exemption for Victor Bolden is up to one week. He returns today from a four-game suspension. The #49ers do not have to make a move this week unless they decide to play him vs. Cardinals. Otherwise, a decision on him must be made by next Monday at 1 p.m.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) October 1, 2018
The 49ers may need some help at wide receiver. Marquise Goodwin (hamstring) is banged up. Rookie Dante Pettis injured his left knee during a punt return in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers and did not return. The 49ers are awaiting the results of an MRI performed on Monday morning.
"We're banged up at O-line, safety, receiver, quarterback," head coach Kyle Shanahan said after Sunday's game. "So it all plays out, but we're going to try to get enough guys in there to play."
Bolden will be able to practice with his teammates on Wednesday, which is the 49ers' first scheduled practice of the week. He appeared in each of San Francisco's four preseason games and recorded six catches for 90 yards.
The 49ers signed Bolden as an undrafted free agent out of Oregon State on May 4, 2017. He appeared in nine games last season before sustaining an ankle injury during the 49ers' 26-16 victory over the Houston Texans and landed on injured reserve. Bolden also contributed on special teams and finished the season with 19 kick returns for 396 yards and four punt returns for an average gain of 5.8 yards.