49ers Rumors: Dante Pettis Waived After SF Failed to Find Trade at Deadline

The San Francisco 49ers have waived wide receiver Dante Pettis after the team failed to find a trade partner for him, according to The Athletic's Matt Barrows.

Pettis, who was drafted by San Francisco in the second round (44th overall) in 2018, was let go two days after he fumbled his first-ever kickoff return in the team's 37-27 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. 

The 25-year-old, who played collegiately at Washington, hurt his shoulder on the fumble play and was questionable to return. The fumble added something to a nearly empty stat line this season, with the California native missing his only target of the year and returning two punts for a total of 14 yards. He was on the field for 73 percent of the team's offensive snaps in its season-opening loss to the Arizona Cardinals, his lone start, but he made the switch to special teams as the season continued. On Sunday, he appeared for just three offensive snaps and three special teams plays.

San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan had been open about the team's willingness to move Pettis, who added 467 yards and five touchdowns in 12 games as a rookie in 2018 but had a quieter sophomore campaign, with 109 yards and two scores. He was a healthy scratch when the team lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl.

His last catch came on Oct. 31, 2019, when he grabbed his lone reception of a 28-25 victory over the Arizona Cardinals for a 21-yard touchdown. 

Despite a disappointing season so far on the injury-riddled 49ers, who also lost Deebo Samuel to another injury among issues with their running backs and tight ends, Pettis should be a solid waiver wire pickup for other teams that need receiving help.