RICHIE JAMES NEWS

New York Giants 2022 Training Camp Roster Preview: WR Richie James Can receiver Richie James parlay his special teams experience as a returner to earn a roster spot?

JUNE 25, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Signs with Giants James signed a one-year, $1 million deal with the Giants on Friday, Zack Rosenblatt of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Impact James missed the entire 2021 campaign due to a knee injury, but he showed flashes as a pass catcher for the 49ers during the 2020 campaign. During a Week 9 loss to the Packers that season, the speedy wideout was thrust into a bigger role due to injuries and registered nine catches for 184 yards and a touchdown. However, James' more likely path to playing time in New York will be as a returner. He's averaged 7.3 yards on 51 punt return over the past three seasons and recorded a 97-yard kickoff return during the 2018 campaign.

MARCH 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Reverts to IR James (knee) reverted to the 49ers' injured reserve Wednesday, David Lombardi of The Athletic reports.

Impact James was expected to compete for a slot role in San Francisco's offense to begin the season, but he'll undergo a knee procedure that will force him to miss approximately six weeks. The 2018 seventh-rounder will remain in the organization after he went unclaimed on waivers, and he'll attempt to carve out a role once he returns to full health.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Waived/injured by 49ers James (knee) was waived/injured by San Francisco on Saturday, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Impact James will undergo a procedure on his knee that will cause him to miss roughly six weeks. The wide receiver will be placed on injured reserve once he clears waivers. In a corresponding move, the 49ers re-signed fellow wideout River Cracraft after waiving him on Tuesday.

AUGUST 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Will miss six weeks James will have a knee procedure that will sideline him about six weeks, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Given that timetable, James will miss time early on this season, which represents a hit to both the 49ers' depth at wideout as well as the team's return game. Now battling for slotting on the team's WR depth chart behind Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk are Mohamed Sanu, Trent Sherfield, Jalen Hurd, Nsimba Webster, Jauan Jennings and Travis Benjamin.

AUGUST 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Will compete for slot job James is one of the primary candidates to compete for the 49ers' starting slot receiver role during training camp, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Impact James was considered an early favorite for the job after the team lost a couple of proven options at the position this past offseason. That said, veteran Mohamed Sanu has taken an early lead in the competition, according to Barrows, as his experience in previous Shanahan regimes has led to an easy transition with his new club. James also suffered a couple of ugly drops during the team's first organized practice, but he shook off the rust with a strong showing Saturday. Even if the speedy wideout doesn't win the job, he's all but a lock to make the active roster in some capacity.

AUGUST 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Gets more run with offense James set new career highs in receptions (23) and receiving yards (394) while scoring a touchdown over 11 games with the 49ers this season.

Impact James has spent the majority of his first three years as a pro on special teams as a punt and kick returner, but injuries allowed the wideout to nearly double his previous high in offensive snaps with 405 in the 2020 campaign. The speedster maintained a healthy 17.1 yards per reception average even with the bump up in playing time. James saw his playing time diminish when Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel were able to suit up, which confirms his status as a backup heading into 2021. However, the 24-year-old's improved play should earn him an opportunity to compete for the starting slot receiver role in training camp.

JANUARY 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

No catches in start James started and logged 51 offensive snaps (91 percent) Saturday, but he was held catchless (one target) in a 20-12 win over Arizona.

Impact The 49ers were able to pound the rock with continued success against a Cardinals defense that was without Corey Peters (knee), the team's starting nose tackle and premier run stuffer. As a result, C.J. Beathard was asked to throw the ball only 22 times, and most of those targets went to tight ends and running backs. James did stick in the starting lineup opposite Brandon Aiyuk, which gives him some upside heading into a Week 17 matchup against Seattle, especially if the game script forces San Francisco to air it out.

DECEMBER 28, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared for Week 16 James (ankle) doesn't have an injury designation for Saturday's game against the Cardinals.

Impact The 49ers cleared James for the Week 16 matchup after he upgraded from limited participation at practices Tuesday and Wednesday to full activity Thursday. With Deebo Samuel (hamstring) having been shut down for the season, James is expected to hold down a regular role in three-receiver sets alongside Brandon Aiyuk and Kendrick Bourne for the 49ers' final two games.

DECEMBER 24, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Logs limited showing Wednesday James (ankle) was a limited practice participant Wednesday.

Impact Aside from lighting up the Packers for nine catches (on 13 targets) for 184 yards and one TD in Week 9, James has combined for an 11-144-0 line on 16 targets over the last five games. He could be in line for a few more snaps than normal with Deebo Samuel (hamstring) unlikely to play again this season and Trent Taylor (undisclosed) going on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday. Having said that, Brandon Aiyuk is the clear No. 1 wide receiver in the 49ers offense, with James, Kendrick Bourne and Jordan Reed otherwise getting scraps.

DECEMBER 23, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Limited to start week James (ankle) was a limited participant in Tuesday's walkthrough practice.

Impact James was absent from the 49ers' final drive of this past Sunday's loss to the Cowboys after tweaking his ankle. Although it was just a walkthrough, his presence at Tuesday's practice is an encouraging sign for his Week 16 status. The third-year receiver will aim to upgrade to full participation by the end of the week as he prepares for Saturday's game against the Cardinals. If he's able to play, he'll catch passes from C.J. Beathard because Nick Mullens (elbow) is done for the year.

DECEMBER 22, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Makes four catches vs. Cowboys James (ankle) caught four of seven targets for 56 yards and lost a fumble during Sunday's 41-33 loss to the Cowboys.

Impact James lost an early fumble on a punt return that resulted in a Dallas touchdown, but he bounced back to finish third on the team in receiving yardage as he recorded his best output since exploding onto the scene in his first appearance. He appeared to tweak his ankle later in the game and was not on the field for the final drive. It's certainly possible James' injury is nothing serious, but if he's suffering any ill effects next Saturday, the 5-9 49ers could elect to hold him out of their tilt against the Cardinals as a precaution.

DECEMBER 20, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Dorance Armstrong forces Richie James into key punt-return fumble Dallas Cowboys defensive end Dorance Armstrong forces San Francisco wide receiver Richie James into key punt-return fumble.

DECEMBER 20, 2020 • NFL.COM

Playing time opens up again James caught all three of his targets for 33 yards in Sunday's 23-15 loss to the Football Team.

Impact Deebo Samuel (hamstring) went down on San Francisco's first offensive drive, opening the door for James to log 26 snaps on offense (32 percent) in addition to his 15 on special teams. The 5-foot-9 burner wasn't able to break off any big plays, which is necessary for him to be relevant in fantasy circles. Samuel will undergo an MRI on Monday to determine the severity of his injury, but there's a realistic chance his season is over. If he can't go Sunday, James would serve as the 49ers' third receiver against a terrible Dallas defense.

DECEMBER 14, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Just seven offensive snaps Monday James only logged seven offensive snaps (11 on special teams) and was not targeted in Monday's 34-24 loss to Buffalo.

Impact Brandon Aiyuk (reserve\COVID-19) returned from a one-week absence and pushed James from second down to fourth on the wide receiver depth chart with Kendrick Bourne sticking in the slot. Injuries allowed the 25-year-old to start the 49ers' three previous contest, and he turned one of those into a monster performance (nine catches for 184 yards and a touchdown against Green Bay in Week 9). With San Francisco's receiving corps back at full strength, James can safely be left on waivers heading into a Week 14 matchup with the Washington Football Team.

DECEMBER 8, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Limited production in start James logged 88 percent of offensive snaps as a starter Sunday, catching his lone target for 29 yards in a 23-20 win over the Rams.

Impact James was able to stick in the starting lineup even with Deebo Samuel (hamstring) being activated off of IR due to Brandon Aiyuk's (reserve/COVID-19) sudden absence. Even with a large share of the snap distribution, the speedy wideout was only targeted once. It is becoming clear that James' Week 9 explosion against the Packers (nine receptions, 184 yards and a touchdown on 13 targets) was an anomaly. The 25-year-old certainly has the athleticism to generate big plays, but he isn't getting enough looks to generate much fantasy value. James could find himself moving back down the depth chart if Aiyuk is able to return to the starting lineup for next Monday's tilt against the Bills now that Samuel has reclaimed his role as San Francisco's top receiving option.

NOVEMBER 30, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Fails to deliver in start James logged 69 offensive snaps (97 percent) and finished with three receptions (five targets) for 26 yards in Sunday's 27-13 loss to New Orleans.

Impact James got the rare start despite both Brandon Aiyuk and Kendrick Bourne returning from one-game layoffs. The 25-year-old was coming off of a career game (13 receptions for 184 yards and a touchdown) against the Packers, but he was unable to replicate that success, despite rocketing up the depth chart. With a bye week on deck, the 49ers' receiving corps may see the much-needed return of Deebo Samuel (hamstring) when the team reconvenes. In that event, James could fall back into a special teams/situational role, but he also could stick in the rotation as a slot man after jumping in front of Kendrick Bourne and Trent Taylor on the depth chart. The 2018 seventh-round pick does offer big-play potential that the two aforementioned wideouts do not, so there could be some deep-league and DFS intrigue if that scenario holds true.

NOVEMBER 16, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Every catch by Richie James from 184-yard game | Week 9 Watch every catch by San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Richie James from his 184-yard game against the Green Bay Packers on

NOVEMBER 6, 2020 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Career-best night in loss James secured nine of 13 targets for 184 yards and a touchdown in the 49ers' 34-17 loss to the Packers on Thursday night.

Impact On a night when the 49ers were down Deebo Samuel (hamstring/COVID-19), Brandon Aiyuk (reserve/COVID-19), Kendrick Bourne (reserve/COVID-19) and George Kittle (foot), James exploded for an explosive fantasy night that was highlighted by a 41-yard touchdown grab in the fourth quarter. James only had 15 catches and 295 yards over his first two seasons coming into Thursday's contest, so he nearly matched those numbers with his busy night. James clearly paid off handsomely for those who may have picked him up as a streaming option or rolled the dice on him in DFS formats Thursday, but with the 49ers not back on the field until Sunday, November 15, James may be down to at least third on the depth chart if Samuel, Aiyuk and Bourne are healthy enough to return by that point.

NOVEMBER 6, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Every catch by Richie James from 184-yard game | Week 9 Watch every catch by San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Richie James from his 184-yard game against the Green Bay Packers on

NOVEMBER 6, 2020 • NFL.COM

Richie James finds space in Packers' secondary for 41-yard TD San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Richie James finds space in Green Bay Packers' secondary for 41-yard TD.

NOVEMBER 6, 2020 • NFL.COM

Richie James is left wide open for big 43-yard catch and run San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Richie James is left wide open for big 43-yard catch and run.

NOVEMBER 6, 2020 • NFL.COM

Officially questionable James (ankle) is questionable for Thursday's game against the Packers, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Impact James could be in line for increased offensive opportunities if he's able to play Thursday, with Kendrick Bourne (illness) on the reserve/COVID-19 list and Dante Pettis no longer on the team. If he can't go, on the other hand, the 49ers will be down to only Brandon Aiyuk and Trent Taylor as healthy options at wide receiver.

NOVEMBER 4, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Limited in practice Tuesday James (ankle) was limited in practice Tuesday, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury reports.

Impact James was listed as a non-participant on the 49ers' estimated practice report yesterday, so his limited involvement Tuesday night is a step in the right direction. If he isn't cleared in time for Thursday's contest, the 49ers will be down to three wideouts, with Deebo Samuel (hamstring) already ruled out.

NOVEMBER 4, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

DNP on estimated practice report James (ankle) was listed as a non-participant on the 49ers' estimated practice report Monday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Impact A version of San Francisco's team practice report was printed without James' name present earlier in the day, but a subsequent update from Wagoner confirms that James is still dealing with an ankle issue. The 25-year-old was unable to go Sunday for a road trip to Seattle after fielding 23 offensive snaps and 21 special-teams snaps the preceding two weeks against the Rams and Patriots. His status will be one to monitor as San Francisco prepares to face Green Bay on Thursday Night Football.

NOVEMBER 3, 2020 • ROTOWIRE