Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Maiocco: 49ers WR Richie James is currently ineligible to return from IR ... sort of
Sep 4, 2021 at 12:54 PM
•
Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
Some confusion surrounding the status of injured San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Richie James surfaced today when respected beat reporter Matt Maiocco listed him as ineligible to return to the team while breaking down some roster side notes.
James was waived with an injury designation on August 28 due to a knee injury. He reverted back to the 49ers on September 1 after going unclaimed, landing on the team's injured reserve list. That was the day after NFL teams trimmed their rosters down to 53 players.
This past week, general manager John Lynch was asked if that meant James, who requires surgery, was ineligible to return to the team.
"You know, I think that remains to be seen," Lynch responded. "And they're still working through all those details. He has not had the surgery as of yet. So, right now, he's on the injured reserve, and we're still kind of tuning in. We'll let you know when we know."
Normally, a player placed on injured reserve before the cut-down deadline must remain on injured reserve for the remainder of the season. If it happens after the deadline, he can return after missing a minimum of three games. However, that only applies to players who landed on the 53-player roster.
James did not.
All is not lost for James, though. There might be a mechanism through which he could return this season, again, per Maiocco. The team could release James with an injury settlement, making him eligible to return after a period of being away from the team.
Of course, that would make him free to sign elsewhere, which the Niners need to consider when deciding on their options.
Thanks to Maiocco for clearing all that up, as there was some debate on the topic.
Related News
Facebook Comments
More San Francisco 49ers News
Tom Brady 'not opposed' to NFL return with a playoff-bound team like the 49ers
Just when you thought the San Francisco 49ers and Tom Brady storylines had concluded, the future Hall of Fame quarterback drops another tidbit that sparks discussion. During an episode of "DeepCut with VicBlends," the host asked Brady what he would do if the NFL came calling once again.
VicBlends inquired if Brady would consider returning to the football field if a playoff-bound team like the 49ers needed him.
"I'm not opposed to it," Brady said, per Jordan Mendoza of USA Today. "I don't know if they're gonna let me if I become an owner an NFL team. I don't know, I'm always gonna be in good shape, always be able to
49ers sign WR Trent Taylor, reuniting with former draft pick
The San Francisco 49ers announced the signing of wide receiver Trent Taylor to a one-year deal, reuniting with the team's former fifth-round draft pick out of Louisiana Tech.
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area was the first to report that the 49ers were discussing a potential reunion with Taylor. The receiver was part of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch's first draft class in 2017 and spent his first four NFL seasons with the team.
The #49ers are talking with free-agent slot receiver/return man
Draft Watch: Western Kentucky WR Malachi Corley visiting 49ers on Wednesday
The San Francisco 49ers are hosting several draft prospects this week as the deadline for pre-draft visits draws near. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, the team will host former Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley on Wednesday.
Corley is expected to be a Day 2 pick. San Francisco owns two selections on Day 2—the No. 63 overall pick in the second round and the No. 94 overall pick in the third round. Currently, the receiver is visiting with the Seattle Seahawks.
Western Kentucky @WKUFootball receiver Malachi Worley
Rapoport: 49ers send clear message to teams inquiring about Brandon Aiyuk
Ian Rapoport didn't offer much of an update on the ongoing contract negotiations between the San Francisco 49ers and their standout wide receiver, Brandon Aiyuk. However, the NFL insider emphasized one thing: The team is not entertaining trade discussions at this juncture.
Reacting to Aiyuk's decision to unfollow the 49ers on Instagram, Rapoport couldn't help but chuckle at the latest development. This practice has become commonplace among players who are unhappy with their contract situations. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel similarly took this action in 2022 before requesting to be traded just before the draft.
Things have yet to escalate that far with Aiyuk, but Rapoport sees his
