The San Francisco 49ers on Monday announced the addition of wide receiver Marqise Lee to their 90-man roster. To clear a spot for him, the team released wide receiver Austin Proehl who signed with the club during the offseason.
Lee, 29, was with the club on a tryout basis during rookie minicamp, and did well enough to earn a contract and a shot at the 53-man roster.
The Jaguars selected Lee in the second round of the 2014 draft, and he put together enough production in four years to earn a four-year, $38 million contract. The height of his time in Jacksonville were his third and fourth years as a pro when he put up a combined 119 receptions, 1,553 yards and six touchdowns in 30 games.
A torn ACL in the third preseason game of the 2018 season sidelined him for that year. A shoulder injury in 2019 wound up limiting him to only six unproductive games. He was waived after his second injury and signed with the Patriots last offseason before opting out.
Now he’ll try and revitalize his NFL career with the 49ers, who could use a veteran receiver in an unproven receiving corps. Lee’s best year as a pro was in 2016 when he had 63 catches for 851 yards and three touchdowns. If he shows signs of being that player in training camp, he could not only make the roster, but carve out a significant role in the 49ers’ passing game.
