The 49ers on Thursday continued their preseason roster tweaks by officially adding offensive lineman Spencer Long. Long’s agent initially announced the signing over the weekend. Because San Francisco’s roster is already at the maximum 80 players, they released defensive end Alex Barrett in a corresponding move.
Long will take over as a reserve interior lineman after Jake Brendel opted out. He entered the league as a third-round pick of the Washington Football Team in 2014. Long spent four seasons there, one with the Jets and then last season with Buffalo. He’s played in 67 games with 44 starts at guard and center. The 49ers will most likely use him as a backup center in training camp while Weston Richburg rehabs a knee injury he suffered late last season. Ben Garland will work in as the starter.
To make room for long, Barrett was waived for the second time in August. He was initially waived and then re-signed a couple days later. It looked like he might get a chance to compete for a spot on the back end of the roster, but San Francisco is more confident in their depth on the edges after signing former No. 3 overall pick Dion Jordan.
With padded practices set to begin Saturday, there are liable to be more roster moves coming down the line for the 49ers as they gear up for regular-season kickoff Sept. 13 at Levi’s Stadium.
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