49ers sign Lance Legree

Reporters did not see San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel during today's practice, which is the last of this week before the team boards a plane bound for New Orleans. That means the second-year wideout did not practice at all this week, making his availability for Sunday's game against the Saints very unlikely. Samuel is attempting to return from a hamstring injury suffered during the 49ers' Week 7 win over the New England Patriots. General manager John Lynch had hoped Samuel might be able to get onto the practice field today but noted that his availability for this weekend remained a long shot. "I think the final challenge or opportunity for Deebo to show that he can go is out here on Friday,"

The San Francisco 49ers are currently scheduled to have a lot of their players hit free agency next offseason. A lot. Thirty-four players are scheduled to become either an unrestricted free agent or a restricted free agent, according to Spotrac.com. Seven more are scheduled to become exclusive-rights free agents. One of the team's biggest names scheduled to hit free agency is offensive tackle Trent Williams, who has played just nine games with the team. San Francisco traded for the seven-time Pro Bowl selection in April to replace the retiring Joe Staley. ESPN's Kevin Seifert

You can understand why San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan was so enamored with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk heading into the draft. In fact, so enamored that the team traded up from No. 31 overall, giving up two more selections in the process, to move up to No. 25 to ensure Aiyuk didn't get away. Aiyuk has shown flashes of what Shanahan saw in him, proving to be as dangerous hauling in passes as he is carrying the football. There were some early comparisons to second-year receiver Deebo Samuel, and one has to wonder what the two might have been able to do together if the injury-ravaged roster had ever been at full strength. Aiyuk received praise from a Hall of Fame receiver this week. Not just any Hall of Fame receiver. The best to ever play the