In a devastating blow to the San Francisco 49ers, veteran wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown has been placed on injured reserve (IR), effectively ending his 2025 season before it even started. The shocking news, reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, comes after St. Brown suffered a foot injury during a joint practice with the Denver Broncos on Thursday, just days before the team’s Week 1 preseason matchup.
A Career Plagued by Injuries
At 28 years old, the 6’5″, 214-pound St. Brown was poised to bring his towering presence and veteran savvy to the 49ers’ receiving corps. Signed on July 22, 2025, briefly released on July 31, and re-signed on Tuesday, St. Brown was gearing up for his seventh NFL season. However, this latest injury adds to a history of setbacks, including a high ankle sprain in 2019 and a hamstring issue in 2023, which have limited his ability to stay on the field consistently.
Drafted in the sixth round (207th overall) by the Green Bay Packers in 2018 out of Notre Dame, St. Brown has carved out a role as a reliable depth receiver across his tenures with the Packers, Chicago Bears, and New Orleans Saints. Over six seasons, he has amassed 63 receptions for 928 yards and 2 touchdowns in 62 games, averaging an impressive 14.7 yards per catch on 110 targets. His standout year came in 2022 with the Bears, where he started all 16 games, hauling in 21 receptions for 323 yards and a touchdown.
49ers’ Receiver Room Faces a Shake-Up
St. Brown’s absence leaves a void in San Francisco’s receiving corps as they head into the preseason. The 49ers will now turn to a mix of young talent and experienced veterans to fill the gap. Ricky Pearsall and Jordan Watkins are expected to compete for expanded roles, with Demarcus Robinson, Russell Gage, Junior Bergen, Terique Owens, Isaiah Hodgins, and Robbie Chosen also in the mix. Pearsall, a promising young wideout, and Watkins, a rising star, will likely see increased opportunities to prove themselves early in the 2025 campaign.
A New Quarterback Enters the Fold
In a corresponding roster move, the 49ers re-signed quarterback Tanner Mordecai to a one-year deal. The 24-year-old signal-caller, who went undrafted in 2024, spent last season on San Francisco’s practice squad after stints at Oklahoma and SMU. Mordecai’s college career was nothing short of prolific, with 850 completions on 1,281 attempts for 9,856 yards and 85 touchdowns, plus 657 rushing yards and 8 scores on the ground. His return bolsters the quarterback depth behind Mac Jones and Bradley Carter as the team prepares for its preseason opener.
What’s Next for San Francisco?
With St. Brown sidelined, the 49ers face an early test of their roster’s resilience. The team’s depth at wide receiver will be under scrutiny, and all eyes will be on Pearsall and Watkins to step up. Meanwhile, Mordecai’s re-signing offers a fresh arm in the quarterback room, providing flexibility as the 49ers navigate the preseason.
As San Francisco gears up for the 2025 season, this unexpected setback serves as a reminder of the NFL’s unpredictability. Fans will be watching closely to see how the 49ers adapt and whether their revamped receiver group can rise to the challenge.