The San Francisco 49ers released wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge on Thursday, clearing a roster spot for veteran Brandin Cooks as the team continues to patch an injury-thinned receiving corps ahead of Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos, via the NFL transaction wire.
The club announced that Cooks, who joined the practice squad on September 23, has been promoted to the active roster. Malik Turner was signed to the practice squad in a corresponding move.
Hodge, released with an injury settlement after missing Wednesday’s practice with a knee issue, appeared in all three of San Francisco’s games this season. He played 88 snaps — 51 on offense and 37 on special teams — and caught one pass for 18 yards.
The transaction ends a short stay that began on August 5, when the 49ers signed the 31-year-old to a one-year deal after the Atlanta Falcons moved on.
San Francisco was already dealing with depth problems at the position, including the loss of Ricky Pearsall to a season-ending knee injury. Hodge was later promoted from the practice squad and used primarily as a special-teams contributor and emergency receiver.
That role is the one that defined his career. An undrafted free agent out of Prairie View A&M in 2018, Hodge has played for the Los Angeles Rams, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions and Falcons.
Through 2025, he had 67 receptions for 1,026 yards and two touchdowns in 118 games, with only 10 starts. His value has been on coverage units.
In 2024, he was named the NFC special-teams representative to the Pro Bowl after a season that included a blocked punt, a tipped punt and a game-winning touchdown catch.
He was also named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week after blocking a punt and tipping another in a Week 15 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
The release comes as the 3-0 49ers try to keep the position functional. Pearsall, Demarcus Robinson, De’Zhaun Stribling and Christian Kirk are on injured reserve.
Mike Evans, limited by a rib injury, did not practice Thursday. Brandon Aiyuk remains on the reserve/left squad list. Cooks, a 13-year veteran and former first-round pick, gives the club another experienced option opposite Deebo Samuel, Jacob Cowing and Jordan Watkins.
Dante Pettis, Will Pauling and Wesley Grimes remain available for practice-squad elevations.
Hodge’s settlement leaves open the possibility of a return once the knee heals, a path teams often use with special-teams veterans rather than placing them on short-term injured reserve.
For now, the former Pro Bowler is a free agent, and San Francisco will try to replace his coverage snaps with Cooks and whoever else the staff elevates for Week 4.
