Report: S.F. might add receiver Austin

After two of their wide receivers suffered broken bones and another opted out of the season this summer, the 49ers are bringing in Tavon Austin for a workout, NFL Network reported.

Austin, 30, 5foot8 and 185 pounds, has not fulfilled expectations since the Rams made him the No. 8 overall pick in 2013, but he possesses versatility and speed. Last year, he had 13 catches for 177 yards and a touchdown in his second season with Dallas, which acquired him for a sixthround pick from the Rams. Austin has just 34 of his 215 career receptions in the past three seasons.

The 49ers’ top receiver, Deebo Samuel (broken foot), is on the nonfootball injury list and is expected to miss earlyseason games. Richie James (broken arm) also is sidelined and Travis Benjamin, who was signed in March, opted out last week. The 49ers have just eight receivers available for their first official practice of training camp Saturday.

If Austin is signed and makes the 53man roster, he could help address a few needs.

Samuel led NFL wide receivers in rushing yards (159) last year, and Austin has lined up extensively in the backfield. He leads NFL wideouts in rushing attempts (196), rushing yards (1,340) and touchdowns (10) since 2013 while averaging 6.8 yards a carry.

In addition, he has returned 185 punts (7.9 yards per return) and 25 kickoffs (18.0) in his career. James, who isn’t guaranteed to make the roster, was the 49ers’ kick returner last year and Benjamin also had return experience. The return candidates on the roster include Trent Taylor, Dante Pettis and rookie Brandon Aiyuk.

Austin ran the 40yard dash in 4.34 seconds at his combine, finishing second that year to wide receiver Marquise Goodwin (4.27). The 49ers traded Goodwin to the Eagles in April and Benjamin was another speed threat. He ranks seventh among active players in yards per reception (15.1). Foerster promoted: The 49ers have promoted longtime NFL assistant Chris Foerster to assistant offensive line coach after he served in a consultant role the past two seasons.

Foerster, 58, resigned from the Dolphins during the 2017 season after a video of him snorting cocaine off his desk became public. Foerster worked with head coach Kyle Shanahan from 2010 through ’13 in Washington. Foerster reportedly checked into a soberliving facility for drug and alcohol treatment on the same day he resigned from the Dolphins, and staying sober has been a condition of him remaining with the 49ers.

Last year, Foerster served as a consultant but did not attend practices while occasionally working at the team facility. In 2018, he consulted from his home.

Foerster, a 26year NFL coaching veteran, served as the 49ers’ offensive line coach from 2008 through ’09 and in 2015. Transaction: The 49ers signed offensive tackle William Sweet, 23, a 2019 undrafted free agent who spent last year on injured reserve with the Cardinals because of a foot injury. Arizona waived Sweet in February.

The 49ers added Sweet, 66 and 313 pounds, after offensive tackle Shon Coleman opted out of the 2020 season last week.