Trent

Taylor

Taylor last played with the 49ers during the 2024 season, ending his career with 88 receptions for 845 yards and three touchdowns. He initially spent three seasons in San Francisco before playing two for the Bengals and one for the Bears, finishing his career back where it started. A longtime role player, Taylor made only three starts at the professional level. He announced his retirement on his wife’s instagram account, accompanied by a picture of the two with former teammate George Kittle and his wife, whom Taylor entered the league with in 2017.

Taylor returns to the 49ers for the first time since 2020. The past three seasons he spent time as a reserve for the Bears and Bengals. The 29-year old receiver had his best season in 2017 as a rookie (43-430-2) with the 49ers who originally drafted him. He’ll now look to stick in San Fransisco once again.

Taylor led the NFL in punt returns of more than 20 yards in 2022, averaging 14.5 yards per return. He’ll be in the mix for punt and kickoff return duties in Chicago, and has a chance to mix in the receiving rotation if the team’s starters struggle or miss time with injuries.

As NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport points out, Taylor had five punt returns of 20 or more yards last season and averaged 14.5 yards per return this preseason. Taylor hasn’t offered much as a receiver in recent years, but his return capabilities will likely land him on another roster sooner rather than later.

A receiver by trade, Taylor has become a return man in practice. He has caught just eight balls over the past two years in Cincinnati but become a solid punt returner. Taylor does not return kickoffs. We would assume his 53-man roster spot is secure.

The Bengals signed Taylor -- a 2017 fifth round pick by the 49ers -- in May. He saw significant playing time in the preseason and made a spectacular reception on a tipped ball that nearly went for a touchdown against Miami. There’s a good chance the Bengals bring back Taylor and stash him on their practice squad.

The slot receiver who spent his first four years in the NFL with the 49ers will join the Bengals’ receiving group after a tryout over the weekend. A fifth rounder in 2017, Taylor, 27, will probably be a special teams player for Cincy, as Tyler Boyd mans the slot. Taylor has had fleeting moments of fantasy relevance. As a rookie, he caught 43 passes for 430 yards with two touchdowns.

With the Niners now healthy at wideout, Taylor is a scratch. He’s registered 10-86-0 on 21 targets this season.

With Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and Kendrick Bourne all missing, it was Taylor’s time to shine. Instead, he caught one pass as Richie James blew up for 9/184/1. With all three of the Niners’ injured/quarantined wideouts possibly returning for Week 10 against the Saints, there is zero reason to hold onto Taylor in any format.

Deebo Samuel and LT Trent Williams join Aiyuk on the COVID-19 list as close contacts to Kendrick Bourne, who was previously ruled out. Samuel was already set to miss the game, but the 49ers now will be without their top two wide receivers and best left tackle. It is fair to question how this game is moving forward as planned on Thursday night and, if it is indeed played, who will catch passes from Nick Mullens. The 49ers are down to Trent Taylor and Richie James at the position on the active roster, but three names on the practice squad.