The San Francisco 49ers added wide receiver Kendrick Bourne to their roster this week, providing a valuable weapon on offense—especially with quarterback Brock Purdy potentially sidelined for two to five weeks.
With Mac Jones expected to start at quarterback on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, Bourne benefits from a unique advantage: he's already familiar with the 49ers' backup, having played alongside Jones with the New England Patriots.
"Yeah, he's been helping me get acclimated ... just studying with him and stuff like that," Bourne told reporters Wednesday. "He's been just giving me tips, gems of how to think about things, and things like that. So, it's dope to be around somebody that I know, and just using it to my advantage to get acclimated."
Bourne says the connection he built with Jones in New England will help his transition into the 49ers' offense.
"Me knowing him obviously helps," Bourne said. "We have a connection and things like that. We can speak to each other a certain way. He can get on me certain ways because we're already connected, which is ironic.
"But just being prepared for whoever is going to throw the ball, and just doing what I need to do to be prepared in the spots that I need to be in. It works out good that way."
General manager John Lynch joined Bay Area radio station KNBR on Thursday morning, sharing his excitement about reuniting with Bourne, who initially joined the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the 49ers in 2017.
"Kendrick's done a lot in this league, and he's done a lot with us," Lynch said. "And instant energy. I think that's the thing with K.B. The guy's always moving, he's always dancing, he's always smiling. But aside from that, he's played here, he's played in our offense, he's thrived in our offense.
"And so, like I said, the opportunity to make an add like that, at that point in the season—we had to fight. It felt like college recruiting against some other teams."
Bourne was deciding between the Washington Commanders and the 49ers, but ultimately chose to reunite with his former squad.
"And fortunately, we were able to talk Kendrick into coming back to where he started his NFL career, and we hope he can contribute," Lynch added. "He hasn't played this preseason. He was coming off a foot injury, and so we got him out there yesterday [in practice]. He looked good, and we'll deal with it as such moving forward.
"But really excited to add K.B., as we refer to him, and he's got a nice history here. And just a favorite teammate of a lot of guys on this team. And so, it gives a little added joy to have a guy like that in the building."
Bourne doesn't believe it's too much to ask that he plays in a game so soon after joining a new offense. He's been working hard this week to get up to speed. In addition to studying with Jones, he has been putting in extra work with wide receivers coach Leonard Hankerson.
"It falls on me," Bourne said. "If I go out there not knowing what I'm doing, it's because I didn't study enough and things like that. So, I've been just attacking it this week, and I'm excited to see what happens. I don't know what's going to happen, but I'm excited to see what's going to happen."
Bourne also has complete confidence in Jones leading the 49ers against the Saints.
"He knows what he's doing. He's used to it," Bourne shared. "He's been a starter in this league. He experiences everything. So, he knows what to see, he knows how to study, he knows exactly what to do. I'm secure in how prepared he'll be."
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