The Falcons signed McCloud to a two-year deal worth up to $6 million Thursday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

McCloud has agreed to terms with Atlanta after spending the last two years of his career in San Francisco. The 27-year-old wideout was primarily utilized as a return specialist in 2023, returning 24 punts and 10 kicks for 428 yards. McCloud played just 28 percent of the 49ers' offensive snaps last season, catching 12 of his 15 targets for 135 yards and no touchdowns. He's expected to have the opportunity to compete for a depth role at wideout this offseason, most likely behind both Drake London and Darnell Mooney.

McCloud accrued 135 receiving yards and 428 combined return yards across 12 regular-season games with San Francisco in 2023.

EDGE Analysis

McCloud overcame a broken wrist suffered during training camp to suit up as the 49ers' return specialist in Week 1. The 27-year-old still sat out five games over the course of the regular season due to injury, with Deebo Samuel and rookie Ronnie Bell handling return duties in McCloud's absence. The veteran wideout performed up to standards as a return man, chipping in 165 combined yards from scrimmage on offense. This upcoming offseason, the 49ers may opt to have the cheaper Bell take over return duties while letting McCloud walk in free agency to save cap space in 2024.

McCloud recorded three catches (on four targets) for 22 yards, one carry for seven yards and two punt returns for 17 yards during Sunday's 21-20 loss to the Rams.

EDGE Analysis

McCloud completed an IR stint of five games and was able to suit up for the regular-season finale, and he got a bit more run on offense (59 percent share) than normal with the 49ers sitting out key starters and capping fellow WRs Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk to cameos. In the end, McCloud's output Sunday pushed him to a 12-135-0 line on 15 targets and three carries for 30 yards in 12 appearances on the campaign. When San Francisco next takes the field in the divisional round on Saturday, Jan. 20 or Sunday, Jan. 21, he likely will be contained to return duties with Samuel, Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings (concussion) handling most of the work at wide receiver.

McCloud (back) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Rams.

EDGE Analysis

McCloud was activated off the 49ers' injured reserve list Saturday and returned for his first game since Week 12. He had three catches for 22 yards and one carry for seven yards before exiting with a back injury.

McCloud (ribs) is good to go for Sunday's matchup with the Rams, Lindsey Pallares of the 49ers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

McCloud was activated off injured reserve Saturday before subsequently getting a questionable designation. He will now be available to play in his first game since Week 12. Look for him to take on his usual role providing depth at receiver and contributing on special teams assuming he avoids any setbacks.

The 49ers activated McCloud (ribs) from the team's injured reserve list Saturday

EDGE Analysis

McCloud was designated to return to practice Wednesday, and he was a full participant in all three practices this week. He's listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Rams, but with the 49ers locked into the first seed, he could see a large role in the offense if wide receivers Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk are rested.

McCloud (ribs) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Rams, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

McCloud still remains on injured reserve for the time being, so San Francisco would have to add him to the 53-man roster before 4:00 p.m. ET on Saturday in order for him to be eligible to play Sunday. The 27-year-old was designated for return from IR on Wednesday and proceeded to turn in three full practices this week, so he looks as though he's fully moved past the rib issue that has sidelined him for the last five games. McCloud has provided most of his value to San Francisco this season as a return specialist, but if available Sunday, he could see an expanded profile on offense with star receivers Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk both being candidates to get rested during the contest.

McCloud (ribs) was designated to return from injured reserve by the 49ers on Wednesday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

McCloud was expected to return to practice this week and he was a full participant at the team's session Wednesday. The return-specialist has been on IR since Dec. 9 while dealing with an injury to his ribs and the team will now have a 21-day window to either activate him or leave him on IR for their postseason run.

David Lombardi of The Athletic reports Monday that the 49ers are expected to open the injured reserve window for McCloud (ribs) this week.

EDGE Analysis

McCloud is expected to return to practice after being placed on IR on Dec. 9. If his window to return opens this week, McCloud could make his return for the 49ers' regular-season finale against the Rams on Sunday. However, with San Francisco locked into the top seed in the NFC, the team could take a cautious approach and wait until the playoffs to bring back the return-specialist.

The 49ers placed McCloud (ribs) on injured reserve Saturday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

McCloud was already ruled out of Sunday's game against the Seahawks for the second straight week. He'll be forced to miss at least the next four games and will be eligible to return Week 18 against the Rams on Jan. 7. In a corresponding move, San Francisco signed Chris Conley to the active roster.