NFL roster cuts roll along, and it is safe to say the San Francisco 49ers will be keeping an eye on the bargain bin for some potential treasure. One notable player released on Saturday was wide receiver Cecil Shorts, according to Rand Getlin.
The Houston Texans released Shorts after one season of a two-year deal. He had 42 receptions for 484 yards and two touchdowns, but missed five games due to injury. He restructured his contract in the offseason, but other wide receivers emerged, leaving him expendable.
Shorts spent four years in Jacksonville, three of which saw Blaine Gabbert throwing him passes for extended stretches. Gabbert started 14 games his first season, ten his second, and three in his final season before Jacksonville traded him to the 49ers. They did not get a ton of time together, but I do wonder if Shorts will be on the 49ers radar at wide receiver. I think we see the team stick with what they’ve got, but Trent Baalke might be at least giving pause.
Matt Barrows tweeted out this NFL video with some highlights involving Shorts and Gabbert.