Brandin Cooks: 49ers, NFL, Age, Teams, News and Trade

Brandin Cooks is back in the NFL spotlight after agreeing to join the San Francisco 49ers practice squad in September 2026. The veteran wide receiver brings 12 seasons of NFL experience and is approaching a major career milestone.

Cooks entered the league as a first-round pick in 2014 and has played for several NFL teams during his career. His latest move to San Francisco comes as the 49ers deal with injuries in their wide receiver room.

Brandin Cooks and the 49ers

The 49ers agreed to add Cooks to their practice squad on September 22, 2026. The move gives San Francisco an experienced option while the team manages injuries at wide receiver.

According to the Associated Press, San Francisco needed additional receiver depth after Demarcus Robinson suffered a high ankle injury. Ricky Pearsall was also already dealing with a season-ending knee injury, while rookie De’Zhaun Stribling was sidelined by an ankle injury.

Cooks is not automatically expected to play immediately. Since he had been unsigned through training camp and the preseason, he may need time to regain conditioning and learn San Francisco’s offense.

How Old Is Brandin Cooks?

Brandin Cooks was born on September 25, 1993, in Stockton, California.

He is 32 years old in September 2026. Cooks played college football at Oregon State before entering the NFL.

His age is notable because he has remained productive enough to continue receiving opportunities deep into his NFL career.

Brandin Cooks NFL Career

Cooks was selected by the New Orleans Saints with the 20th overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft.

According to Pro Football Reference, he has appeared in 173 regular-season games and has recorded 734 receptions for 9,811 receiving yards and 60 receiving touchdowns.

He has also recorded six seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards, making him one of the more experienced wide receivers of his generation.

What Teams Has Brandin Cooks Played For?

Cooks has built a long NFL résumé that includes multiple franchises.

His NFL teams have included:

• New Orleans Saints
• New England Patriots
• Los Angeles Rams
• Houston Texans
• Dallas Cowboys
• Buffalo Bills
• San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco is his latest destination, although his initial agreement in September 2026 is for the practice squad.

Cooks previously returned to New Orleans in 2025 before finishing that season with Buffalo.

Brandin Cooks 2025 Season

Cooks began the 2025 season with the Saints after signing with New Orleans in March.

He recorded 19 receptions for 165 yards and no touchdowns in 10 games with the Saints before leaving the team. He then joined Buffalo and recorded five receptions for 114 yards during the regular season, according to reports on his career move to San Francisco.

His Buffalo stint included a 101-yard receiving performance against Philadelphia, showing that he could still contribute as a veteran receiver.

Is Brandin Cooks Good?

Cooks’ career production provides important context when evaluating his current role.

He has nearly 10,000 career receiving yards, more than 700 receptions and 60 receiving touchdowns. He has also reached 1,000 receiving yards six times.

However, his current situation is different from his prime years. Cooks is now a veteran competing for a roster opportunity rather than entering the season as a team’s primary receiving option.

His value to the 49ers is therefore likely to come from his experience, route-running background and ability to provide depth if he earns a promotion from the practice squad.

How Close Is Brandin Cooks to 10,000 Receiving Yards?

Cooks entered his 49ers opportunity with 9,811 career receiving yards.

That leaves him 189 yards short of 10,000 career receiving yards.

Reaching 10,000 yards would be a significant career milestone for the veteran receiver. His move to San Francisco gives him another opportunity to continue his career and potentially reach that mark.

Brandin Cooks News

The biggest Brandin Cooks news in September 2026 is his move to the 49ers practice squad.

San Francisco’s receiver injuries helped create the opportunity. The team has already dealt with multiple injuries at the position, increasing the need for experienced depth.

Cooks’ next step will be getting comfortable in the offense and showing the coaching staff that he can contribute at the NFL level.

Was Brandin Cooks Traded to the 49ers?

No. Brandin Cooks was not traded to the 49ers.

He joined San Francisco as a free agent and agreed to a practice-squad deal. That distinction is important because there was no trade involving the 49ers acquiring him from another team.

His previous team before this move was Buffalo, while he had also played for New Orleans earlier in the 2025 season.

Brandin Cooks Career Stats

The statistics above are based on Pro Football Reference’s career record, with the current 2026 move to San Francisco not yet adding regular-season statistics.

Brandin Cooks’ Career Journey

Cooks’ NFL career has taken him across the league.

He started with New Orleans after being selected in the first round of the 2014 draft. He later played for New England, the Rams, Houston and Dallas before returning to New Orleans in 2025.

His move to Buffalo gave him another opportunity late in the 2025 season. Now, the 49ers have given the veteran another chance to continue his NFL career.

For San Francisco, the signing provides experience at a position affected by injuries. For Cooks, it offers an opportunity to compete for another NFL game appearance while sitting just 189 receiving yards away from 10,000.

Conclusion

Brandin Cooks is the latest veteran receiver to join the San Francisco 49ers during the 2026 season. He has agreed to a practice-squad deal after spending the previous season with the Saints and Bills.

At 32, Cooks brings extensive NFL experience and a career résumé featuring 734 receptions, 9,811 receiving yards and 60 touchdowns. His next challenge is earning an opportunity to play for San Francisco.

With only 189 receiving yards separating him from 10,000 career yards, Cooks has another significant milestone within reach if he earns a role with the 49ers.

FAQs

Is Brandin Cooks on the 49ers?

Yes. Cooks agreed to join the San Francisco 49ers’ practice squad in September 2026.

How old is Brandin Cooks?

Brandin Cooks is 32 years old as of September 2026. He was born on September 25, 1993.

What NFL teams has Brandin Cooks played for?

Cooks has played for the Saints, Patriots, Rams, Texans, Cowboys and Bills. His latest move is to the 49ers practice squad.

Was Brandin Cooks traded to San Francisco?

No. He joined the 49ers as a free agent on a practice-squad agreement rather than through a trade.

How many receiving yards does Brandin Cooks have?

Cooks has 9,811 career regular-season receiving yards, according to Pro Football Reference.

Is Brandin Cooks close to 10,000 receiving yards?

Yes. He is 189 receiving yards short of 10,000 career receiving yards.