49ers sign WR Quintez Cephus, cut RB Israel Abanikanda

Field Level Media|published: Thu 24th July, 15:12 2025

Aug 17, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Quintez Cephus (81) before the game against the New York Giants at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

The San Francisco 49ers signed wide receiver Quintez Cephus to a one-year deal on Thursday and waived running back Israel Abanikanda.

Cephus, 27, was a fifth-round pick by Detroit in the 2020 NFL Draft and last appeared in a game with the Lions in 2022. The league suspended him for the 2023 season for betting on NFL games.

Cephus caught 37 passes for 568 yards and four touchdowns in 22 games (six starts) for Detroit from 2020-22. After being reinstated by the league in April 2024, he spent time with the Buffalo Bills, Houston Texans and Los Angeles Rams.

The 49ers needed another wideout after Jacob Cowing sustained a hamstring injury in Wednesday's practice.

Abanikanda, 22, was a fifth-round pick by the New York Jets in 2023. He rushed 22 times for 70 yards and caught seven passes for 43 yards in six games with the Jets in 2023. The 49ers claimed him off waivers in December 2024.

--Field Level Media