It’s been an incredible start to the season for San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy. Through three weeks, Purdy leads the NFL with a quarterback rating of 93.8 and has the 49ers atop the NFC West division with a 3-0 record.
On Thursday, Purdy was asked by reporters about veteran receiver Brandin Cooks, who the team signed to the active roster earlier that day. Purdy gave a glowing review of his brief work with Cooks:
“He’s quick, he looks great, he looks fresh. It was cool for him to be here last week and sorta go through some practices with him and stuff, and just seeing how he moves. And now this week, with him getting more involved with the game plan and being there in the mix of things.”
Cooks may be called upon sooner rather than later as veteran receiver Mike Evans has yet to practice this week due to a rib injury he suffered in Week 3. With rookie De’Zhaun Stribling on IR, the 49ers also reunited with Dante Pettis this week for added depth.
Before signing with the 49ers, Cooks tried out for the Baltimore Ravens when it was feared that Zay Flowers had suffered a more serious injury. Cooks, 33, split time last season with the New Orleans Saints and Buffalo Bills. In 15 games, he tallied 24 receptions for 279 total yards.
Purdy perhaps let it slip how the team intends to use Cooks this Sunday in a tough test at home against the Denver Broncos.
“Get him the ball and see what he does in space. I think he’s in year 13 or something like that, but he definitely still has that playmaking ability.”
The 49ers also used second-year receiver Jordan Watkins last week. The speedy receiver nabbed just two grabs but took them for 60 yards. If Evans sits out on Sunday, expect Watkins and Cooks to see extended playing time. Both speedsters will add another dimension to the 49ers’ offense, which has typically relied on tacking on yards after the catch.
If Cooks gets on the field this Sunday, it will be for the seventh different team in his career. The 49ers host the Denver Broncos on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET.
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