National Football League

Niners sign ex-Colt Collie

Published Aug. 2, 2013 1:00 a.m. ET

Mike Garafolo

After three concussions and major knee surgery, Austin Collie still wants to play in the NFL.

The San Francisco 49ers will allow him to do just that.

The Niners signed the former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Friday after his second workout with the team this offseason, a source told FOX Sports. Collie beat out former Dallas Cowboys and Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Laurent Robinson, who also has dealt with concussions.

Collie's production was at its peak in 2010, when he was on pace for more than 100 receptions and 14 touchdowns before concussions ended his season. Last year, his road back was disrupted by a torn patella tendon.

However, Collie has refused to quit and now will join a battered corps of targets for Colin Kaepernick that has been hit with the Achilles injury to Michael Crabtree in the spring and tight end Darius Fleming's torn ACL.

“I just need that closure. When I feel like I accomplish everything I want to accomplish, I'll have no problem walking away from the game,” Collie said this spring. “But I have more to give.”