Jacob Cowing - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Goes without reception in Week 3 Cowing failed to corral either of his two targets while playing 17 of the 49ers' 54 snaps on offense in Sunday's 36-30 win over the Cardinals.

Impact Even though Demarcus Robinson (ankle) was moved to injured reserve following Week 2 and Mike Evans (rib) was unable to finish Sunday's contest, Cowing didn't benefit from much of a spike in playing time. In fact, after logging 24 of the 49ers' 52 offensive snaps (46.2 percent) in Week 2, Cowing saw his snap share drop to 31.5 percent. The biggest beneficiary of Robinson's absence and Evans' early exit was KhaDarel Hodge, who finished second to only Deebo Samuel among 49ers receivers with 30 snaps.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Handles two punt returns in Week 1 Cowing returned two punts for 17 yards in the 49ers' 27-7 win over the Rams in Week 1.

Impact Cowing also saw five snaps on offense but wasn't' targeted by Brock Purdy. With De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle) injured against the Rams and Ricky Pearsall (knee) out for the season, Cowing is looking like the Niners' current WR4 behind Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel and Demarcus Robinson.

SEPTEMBER 12 • ROTOWIRE

Healthy ahead of Week 1 Cowing (groin) did not appear on the 49ers' injury report Tuesday, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Impact Cowing was dealing with a groin injury to end the preseason, but he now appears to have fully recovered. The wide receiver is set to operate as a special-teams asset with San Francisco in 2026, handling the primary punt returner role.

SEPTEMBER 9 • ROTOWIRE

49ers just gave Jacob Cowing some unexpected competition for returner job The San Francisco 49ers seem likely to go with Jacob Cowing as their returner, but they did add an insurance option to the practice squad.

SEPTEMBER 2 • NINERNOISE.COM

Jacob Cowing on Competition, Growth, and Putting in the Work From a two-star recruit to an 83-yard punt return touchdown, 49ers WR Jacob Cowing reflects on the motivation behind his journey, the work h...

AUGUST 27 • 49ERS.COM

Dealing with groin issue Cowing (groin) did not participate at the 49ers' training camp practice Tuesday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Per Wagoner, coach Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday that he expects Cowing to return to practice next week before the team travels to Australia for its regular-season debut against the Rams. In the meantime, 2025 fourth-rounder Jordan Watkins could be called on to perform punt-return duties with the first team.

AUGUST 25 • ROTOWIRE

49ers have painfully obvious answer to Jacob Cowing dilemma With the young pass catcher square on the roster bubble, the 49ers need to look no further than last year's squad to find the perfect soluti...

AUGUST 24 • NINERNOISE.COM

Why the 49ers Can't Afford to Release Jacob Cowing Jacob Cowing’s 83-yard punt return TD could secure his spot on the 49ers’ 53-man roster. Here’s why his return ability matters in 2026.

AUGUST 22 • SI.COM

Shanahan Talks Injuries, Cowing's Big Return vs. Chargers San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan provided updates on OL Austen Pleasants, LB Nick Martin, and more, praised WR Jacob Cowing's ex...

AUGUST 21 • 49ERS.COM

Cowing returns punt for TD to spark the 49ers in 41-17 preseason win over the Chargers

Jacob Cowing returned a punt for an 83-yard touchdown as the San Francisco 49ers beat the Los Angeles Chargers 41-17 in preseason action

AUGUST 21 • Associated Press

Back to practice Cowing (hip) was a full participant in Saturday's practice, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Impact Cowing suffered a hip injury sometime around last Wednesday's training camp session and has been absent from team activities since. The wide receiver's return to health will give him a chance to compete in next Thursday's preseason showdown with the Chargers. Cowing is currently listed as the starting punt returner for the team, but the 25-year-old will likely need to once again show he is a capable option at receiver to make the 53-man roster.

AUGUST 15 • ROTOWIRE

NFL Catchup: Another Donald Update; Diggs Finds New Home; Texans Welcome Back A WR

Training camp continues across the NFL as teams make late roster additions, contract talks continue ahead of the start of the preseason.

AUGUST 6 • FOX SPORTS

NFL Catchup: Another Donald Update; Diggs Finds New Home; Texans Welcome Back A WR

Misses practice with hip issue Cowing (hip) did not participate in Wednesday's training camp session, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Impact It is unclear when Cowing suffered the hip injury currently plaguing him, but the primary punt returner did come into OTAs with a hamstring issue that could be related. The longer the 25-year-old remains unable to practice, the more chances players such as Malik Turner and Jordan Watkins have to prove they are versatile options that can hold value on both the offensive and special teams units.

AUGUST 5 • ROTOWIRE

Deebo Samuel may steal even more than Jacob Cowing's 49ers jersey number With Deebo Samuel back with the 49ers, that means that wide receiver Jacob Cowing is likely going to struggle to get playing time.

AUGUST 3 • NINERNOISE.COM

Inside the First Week of 49ers Training Camp 2026 | The Saloon From early camp standouts, to key position battles, and an exclusive player interview with Jacob Cowing, here's everything you need to know...

AUGUST 1 • 49ERS.COM

One Dark Horse Who Should Make the 49ers roster After OTAs Third year wide receiver Jacob Cowing should be a lock to make the San Francisco 49ers roster after OTAs

JUNE 8 • SI.COM

One Player is Leading the 49ers' Wide Open Punt Return Competition Jacob Cowing has the best chance to win the San Francisco 49ers punt return job coming out of OTAs

JUNE 1 • SI.COM

Jacob Cowing should have 1 goal (and 1 goal only) to save his 49ers roster spot The 49ers added plenty of wide receivers this offseason, meaning Jacob Cowing's foothold on a roster spot is precarious, at best.

MAY 31 • NINERNOISE.COM

Jacob Cowing and Jordan Watkins Flashing at 49ers OTAs is Insignificant Two players on the San Francisco 49ers who need to impress with every rep they get are wide receivers Jacob Cowing and Jordan Watkins. Both...

MAY 30 • SI.COM

Playing during OTAs Cowing (hamstring) is participating in OTAs, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Impact The wide receiver is not only participating, but he apparently looks good, per Maiocco, who called him a standout, and David Lombardi of SFStandard.com, who reported that coach Kyle Shanahan said he was impressed that Cowing was in such good shape. The 2024 fourth-round pick missed the 2025 campaign with a hamstring injury that he suffered in late August.

MAY 28 • ROTOWIRE

49ers sign receiver Christian Kirk to a 1-year, $6 million contract, AP source says

The San Francisco 49ers have signed veteran receiver Christian Kirk to a one-year, $6 million contract to add needed depth at the position

MARCH 16 • Associated Press

Mike Evans Calls 49ers Move a ‘No-Brainer,' Believing He's Their Missing Piece

The decision to leave Tampa Bay wasn’t easy for Mike Evans playing for the Buccaneers for 12 seasons.

MARCH 12 • FOX SPORTS

Mike Evans Calls 49ers Move a ‘No-Brainer,' Believing He's Their Missing Piece

49ers bolster receiving group by agreeing to a 3-year deal with Mike Evans, AP source says

The San Francisco 49ers added a proven pass catcher for quarterback Brock Purdy, agreeing to a three-year contract with Mike Evans at the start of the free agent negotiating period

MARCH 9 • Associated Press

Doesn't play in 2025 Cowing was unable to take the field during the 2025 season due to a hamstring injury.

Impact Cowing, a 2024 fourth-round pick from Arizona, was placed on the injured reserve list in late August and missed San Francisco's entire campaign. The 25-year-old returned to full practice and nearly rejoined the 49ers' active roster for their playoff run but was ultimately unable to do so. Under contract through 2027, Cowing will likely have the opportunity to compete for a depth-role in San Francisco's wide-receiver room ahead of next season.

FEBRUARY 12 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out vs. Seahawks Cowing (hamstring) has been ruled out for San Francisco's divisional-round matchup versus the Seahawks on Saturday.

Impact Cowing will not be activated off injured reserve and will now be forced to miss another game. The 2024 fourth-round pick has been sidelined for the entirety of the season with a hamstring injury but will look to make his return next week, should the 49ers advance to the NFC Championship Game.

JANUARY 17 • ROTOWIRE

JACOB COWING NEWS

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Cowing returns punt for TD to spark the 49ers in 41-17 preseason win over the Chargers

NFL Catchup: Another Donald Update; Diggs Finds New Home; Texans Welcome Back A WR

49ers sign receiver Christian Kirk to a 1-year, $6 million contract, AP source says

Mike Evans Calls 49ers Move a ‘No-Brainer,' Believing He's Their Missing Piece

49ers bolster receiving group by agreeing to a 3-year deal with Mike Evans, AP source says