Wide receiver Dante Pettis spoke to Bay Area reporters for the first time since returning to the San Francisco 49ers this week. The 49ers signed him to the practice squad, but with injuries thinning the roster early this season, he could have an opportunity to provide game-day depth.
Pettis entered the NFL when the 49ers selected him in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. His time with the team lasted just three seasons before he went on to play for the New York Giants, Chicago Bears, and New Orleans Saints. Now, he is back in San Francisco.
"You always want to end on a good note," Pettis said. "You don't always get the opportunity to get a second chance at things, so I was definitely very excited when I heard that they wanted me to come in and do a workout. And now, we're here."
This wasn't the first time the 49ers had expressed interest in a reunion. Pettis reflected on the team reaching out about a potential return during training camp.
"It was like maybe two days into training camp," Pettis explained. "I was actually on a flight to Buffalo to do a workout, and my agent called and was like, 'The Niners want you to come in tomorrow.' I literally sat down, like, 'You know where I'm at right now.' He's like, 'I know.'
"And then the Bills signed me, so that's kind of how that went. But yeah, it was definitely good to hear that they were still interested and still wanted me to come back."
Pettis wasn't surprised that the 49ers were interested in bringing him back. At least, he wasn't as surprised as he might have been a few years ago. Enough time has passed since his initial departure that he doesn't find the reunion particularly strange.
Pettis also doesn't harbor any animosity toward head coach Kyle Shanahan. In fact, the receiver understands the 49ers' perspective on how his first stint with the team unfolded.
"I feel like we're in a good place," Pettis said. "I don't think it was ever anything bad. There was expectations, and they weren't being met. It's like, it is what it is. There's never been like ... I'd see him at a game or whatever, say, 'What's up?' to each other. But yeah, we're in a good spot, for sure."
Can Brandin Cooks make an impact?
The 49ers promoted wide receiver Brandin Cooks, who joined the team last week, to the active roster on Thursday. The move suggests the team believes he has learned enough in his first week to provide value on game day.
With Mike Evans's availability uncertain, the team may need additional depth. Evans is dealing with a rib injury suffered Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.
RELATED 49ers vs. Broncos injury report: Thursday practice brings several updates
Quarterback Brock Purdy shared his early impressions of Cooks.
"He's quick, he looks great, he looks fresh," Purdy said. "It was cool for him to be here last week, too, and sort of go through some practices with him and stuff, and just seeing how he moves. And then now this week, him getting more involved with the game plan and just being there, sort of in the mix of things, and getting him the ball and seeing what he does in space.
"I think he's in year 13 or something like that, but definitely still got that playmaking ability, which is cool."
Offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak discussed the progress Cooks has made during his short time with the 49ers. The veteran receiver has made a strong early impression.
"Just super impressed with the person and how he's prepared and how he's kind of jumped in and just learned our offense quickly," Kubiak said. "And it's a tough position to play in our offense, with the alignments, with the run game assignments, with obviously the passing game. And just real impressed with how well he's picked it up.
"And he's a pro. He's been a lot of places. I think that's what gives us confidence that he's ready to be elevated and ready to help us."
Will Matthew Judon help the 49ers?
Defensive end Matthew Judon remains on the practice squad but could be one of the players elevated for Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos despite just signing with the 49ers this week.
"Today was the first day that I really got to see him out there, because we walked through yesterday," Shanahan said during his Thursday radio interview. "So it seemed like he had a good practice today."
Shanahan noted that he still needed to watch the practice film but acknowledged that injuries have hit the 49ers' defensive line hard this season. That could create an opportunity for a newcomer like Judon to make an impact quickly.
"I'm assuming that it (practice) went well today, and we still haven't decided who's going to be up for the game," Shanahan added. "Still got to make a couple more last-minute decisions on that, but anytime you're in a situation like we are, you'd like guys who have done it before."
Shanahan also noted that 49ers defensive coordinator Raheem Morris has worked with Judon before in Atlanta. In fact, Morris vouched for Judon and his fit within San Francisco's locker room and defensive scheme.
"When you hear that stuff, and a guy like that's available, it's just, I feel like we were lucky to get him in our situation," Shanahan said.
Morris also discussed Judon's progress in getting up to speed this week. He acknowledged that the defensive end's familiarity with his system has made the transition easier than it might have been for someone else.
"Obviously, first padded practice for him today," Morris said. "Been with him before. Looks like he looked at really good times, really good moments for us in Atlanta, with his ability to play strong. He's a smart guy.
"Obviously, he's on the practice squad right now, and we'll see what happens. We've got another day of practice, and we've got another walkthrough, and go play a football game. We're going to put the best guys out there to give us the best chance to win."
More info on: Brandin Cooks, Mike Evans, Brock Purdy
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