49ers placing Dante Pettis on injured reserve is chock full of irony

The San Francisco 49ers have placed wide receiver Dante Pettis on injured reserve after he suffered a calf injury during his first practice back with the team. Pettis had recently re-signed to the practice squad, marking a reunion with head coach Kyle Shanahan following his initial departure in 2020. In a corresponding move, the team signed wide receiver Xavier Smith to take Pettis' place on the practice squad.

Niner Noise argues that the injury is an ironic and disappointing conclusion to Pettis' attempted comeback with the franchise. Because the 49ers have already utilized their designated return slots on other injured players, the writer notes that Pettis is unlikely to return to the active roster this season.