The San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks are rivals in the NFC West, which makes it all the better for Jim Harbaugh as the team decided to sign Chris Harper form the practice squad of Peter Carroll and the team hopes he can add some depth at receiver for quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
According to ESPN.com, the 49ers signed Harper from the Seahawks after the team placed him on their practice squad and this followed him getting cut from Seattle during the 53-man deadline. Harper was not the most notable fourth round cut, as Tyler Wilson was also let go by the Raiders, but now he will remain in the league after being put on the practice squad, as the 49ers decided to take a chance on him.
Harper signed a three year deal with the 49ers and he joined the team after San Francisco cleared an opening for him with the trade of Cam Johnson to the Colts. Harbaugh is not afraid to ruffle feathers and now Harper will join a core of wideouts that are dealing with injuries, including Mario Mannigham and Michael Crabtree, who is out for the season. Harper now joins (Anquan Boldin, Kyle Williams, Jon Baldwin, Quinton Patton and Marlon Moore on the roster and he could end up being a sleeper if he can produce.
Harper was so-so in the preseason, making four catches for 39 yards, but he had two crucial drops, including one that would have been a touchdown in the fourth game. Seattle signed Harper to their practice squad, but in some gamesmanship, Harbaugh took him to their 53-mamn roster instead.
Colin Kaepernick is coming into his first full season as a starter and he will need all the help on offense he can get without Crabtree available. Kaepernick put up very good numbers last year and Harper could be a sleeper or a huge bust depending on how much he can get on the field.
