Chris

Conley

The backup receiver garnered mild fantasy interest from some, given the 49ers’ long list of injuries. Conley appears unlikely to seize the moment, even in a rotational capacity, now dealing with a hamstring injury of his own.

Samuel was hospitalized for pneumonia after being active but not playing for Week 7. He was released on Tuesday and was at the 49ers’ facility, but did not practice on Wednesday. Samuel was listed for both an illness and wrist injury, which he dealt with last week. It will be difficult for Samuel to get back to playing for Week 8, but practice status later in the week will help determine that; head coach Kyle Shanahan has said he was hopeful Samuel would play. Fellow WR Chris Conley (ankle) was limited in practice. With Samuel and Jauan Jennings (hip) missing practice and Brandon Aiyuk (ACL) out for the season, Conley’s status has suddenly become notable.

The Athletic’s Matt Barrows reports “Cowing continues to stand out in practice” and expects both Cowing and veteran Chris Conley to secure the Nos. 5 and 6 wide receiver jobs. Cowing was promisingly held out of the 49ers preseason Week 1 game before catching 4-of-5 targets for 51 yards in preseason Week 2. The showing included two missed tackles forced, one contested catch, one explosive pass play and three first downs gained. The 49ers drafted him in the 2024 NFL draft’s fourth round.

Conley saw limited action with the 49ers in 2023. Appearing in just eight games, the veteran receiver totaled only three receptions for 69 yards, and he’s managed only seven receptions for 115 yards over the last two seasons combined. He was cut at the end of training camp last year, only to be brought back on the practice squad soon after. He shouldn’t be considered a lock to make the 53-man roster this year.

San Francisco will carry six wide receivers into the regular season including seventh-round rookie Ronnie Bell, but Conley was not part of their plans after signing a one-year contract this offseason. Also released or waived were RB Jeremy McNichols, RB Brian Hill, FB Jack Colletto, WR Willie Snead IV, WR Tay Martin, WR Isaiah Winstead, WR Anthony Miller, TE Troy Fumagalli, OL Leroy Watson, OL Ilm Manning, OL Keith Ismael, OL Jason Poe, OL Joey Fisher, OL Corey Luciano, OL Alfredo Gutierrez, DL Kerry Hyder Jr, DL Austin Bryant, DL T.Y. McGill, DL Marlon Davidson, DL Alex Barrett, DL Breeland Speaks, DL Spencer Waege, DL La’Darius Hamilton, LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball, LB Curtis Robinson, LB Kyahva Tezino, CB D’Shawn Jamison, CB Nate Brooks, CB Tre Swilling, S Myles Hartsfield and S Qwuantrezz Knight.

Last season marked Conley’s least productive as a pro, as the veteran receiver finished the year with just four receptions for 46 scoreless yards while splitting time with the Texans and Titans. The former third-round draft pick is entering his age-30 season and will likely serve as added depth to an already talented receiving corps.

The team also brought in Laquon Treadwell for a visit. Conley re-signed with Texans last offseason. He was cut, re-signed, and cut again before the start of the season. He had a cup of coffee with the Chiefs and then closed out the year by bouncing between the Titans’ practice squad, free agency, and their active roster. Conley is nothing more than a depth option at this point in his career.

The veteran wide receiver will rejoin the team with rookie Treylon Burks ruled out with a concussion. Conley last helped fill the void left behind by Burks’ absence during a three week stint with the team between Weeks 8 and 10, and will do the same in Week 14.

Conley joined the Titans near the end of October after spending some time on the Chiefs’ practice squad. He did not record a reception in his two games with the Titans. With Treylon Burks off injured reserve, Conely services were no longer needed.

This is Conley’s third stop this season. The eight-year veteran has no receptions in two games this season but could see some playing time in a Tennessee receivers room that ranks among the league’s worst.