NFL Free Agent Rumors: Brandon Lloyd, 49ers Talking Comeback; Giants Working Out Josh Freeman

Brandon Llyod touchdown catch
Brandon Llyod touchdown catch
Former New England Patriots wide receiver Brandon Lloyd Robert Deutsch USA TODAY Sports

Brandon Lloyd‘s disappointing 2012 campaign with the New England Patriots was the last we saw of the wide receiver in the NFL. But a comeback may be on the horizon.

Comcast Sports Net Bay Area reported Thursday the San Francisco 49ers and Lloyd are in discussions about a possible comeback into the league.

Lloyd spent the first three seasons of his career in San Francisco before getting a big-money contract with the Washington Redskins. In 2010, under the tutelage of former Denver Broncos head coach and Pats offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, Lloyd enjoyed a career year. Lloyd followed McDaniels to New England in 2012, but after a season in which he hauled in 74 receptions for 911 yards and four touchdowns, he was out of the league.

The Niners have pursued a number of different free-agent wide receivers, including Julian Edelman, Emmanuel Sanders and Hakeem Nicks. The team was also in the mix for DeSean Jackson, who of course signed on with the Skins. The team re-signed veteran Anquan Boldin opposite Michael Crabtree, but seemingly remains discontent with Quinton Patton as the third wideout.

Lloyd, 32, sat out all of the 2013 season. But apparently San Fran is desperate.

Last week, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and short-lived Minnesota Vikings quarterback Josh Freeman had his first free-agent visit of the offseason with the Chicago Bears. Afterwards, it was all quiet on the Freeman front.

But another workout had reportedly been scheduled.

According to Bleacher Report, Freeman will work out for the New York Giants as early as Tuesday. It’s the second-known workout of the offseason for Freeman, who was released by the Bucs early in the 2013 season and not re-signed by the Vikings.

The Giants have Curtis Painter and 2013 fourth-round pick Ryan Nassib backing up entrenched starter Eli Manning, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle on Thursday. The team may be worried about Manning’s ability to suit up Week 1 if it’s working out Freeman, or it could not be satisfied with Painter or Nassib as the No. 2.

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Sam Spiegelman
Sam Spiegelman is a native New Yorker covering sports in New Orleans. He likes Game of Thrones way too much. Tweet him @samspiegs.