Morton gives the 49ers a veteran presence on offense. (gettyimages)
The San Francisco 49ers have added a veteran presence to their offensive unit, signing wide receiver Johnnie Morton to a two-year contract.
Morton has been one of the NFL’s most consistently productive performers at his position in recent years, registering four 1,000-yard campaigns in his career.
The 6-0, 185-pound wide receiver from the University of Southern California has started 146 games in his 11-year career. Morton has caught 603 passes for 8,431 yards and 43 touchdowns in his career. An established big-play threat, Morton has 116 career receptions over 20 yards and 19 catches over 40 yards.
“Johnnie is our kind of guy.” Head Coach Mike Nolan said. “He is a hard-working professional who will be a great example to our young receivers.”
Morton will be reunited with wide receivers coach Jerry Sullivan who coached him at Detroit from 1997-01. Under Sullivan, Morton had his best statistical season, catching 77 passes for 1,154 yards and four touchdowns in 2001.
Morton started 104-of-126 games as a Lion, adding 469 catches for 6,499 yards and 35 touchdowns. He finished his Detroit career as the second leading receiver in Lions history both in terms of catches and yardage.
He joined the Chiefs in March of 2002 as a free agent. Morton started 12 games last season for Kansas City, catching 55 passes for 795 yards and three touchdowns.
Just the veteran reciever that the 49ers needed?
