SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers signed wide receivers Austin Collie and Lavelle Hawkins to one-year deals Friday after both veteran free agents worked out for the team earlier in the day.
The 49ers made the moves to help bolster a receiver unit that has been decimated by injuries. San Francisco began training camp last week without top wideout Michael Crabtree — out for at least half the season after tearing his Achilles tendon in May — and three other receivers have missed time this week.
Collie played the past four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, but appeared in only one game last year due to injury. He had 173 receptions during his first three seasons with the Colts.
Hawkins was released by New England on Wednesday after playing five seasons with the Tennessee Titans. Hawkins had 47 receptions for the Titans in 2011 and 71 overall with Tennessee.
Mario Manningham, who started 10 games at wide receiver for the 49ers last season, has yet to practice this summer while he continues to rehabilitate a knee injury suffered in a Dec. 23 game. Kyle Williams — who like Manningham tore knee ligaments last season — and receivers A.J. Jenkins and Kassim Osgood each have missed practices this week because of apparent hamstring injuries.
To make room on their roster for the two newcomers, the 49ers waived rookie centre Sherman Carter and rookie punter Colton Schmidt.
