The 49ers on Tuesday placed wide receiver Marquise Goodwin on Injured Reserve with knee and foot injuries. They also made a trio of practice squad moves.
Injuries help explain the dramatic drop in playing time for Goodwin over the last few weeks. He played just 10 snaps in Week 10 against Seattle, and 23 in Week 11 vs. Arizona before an inactive designation against the Packers in Week 12, and one special teams snap against the Ravens the following week. Goodwin showed up on the injury report for Week 14 with knee and foot ailments, and wound up inactive.
Goodwin looked like a budding star in 2017 when he posted 56 catches for 962 yards and two touchdowns in 16 games. Injuries limited his 2018 campaign to 11 contests, and his 2019 season was cut short after he played in nine games.
San Francisco’s receiving corps is now even thinner than it was. Deebo Samuel, Emmanuel Sanders and Kendrick Bourne have emerged as the three primary options, while Richie James has carved out a role as the team’s primary kick and punt returner. Dante Pettis rounds out the group of five pass catchers.
While each of them has a role, it stands to reason the 49ers may add a player at that position. Former 49ers receiver Jordan Matthews is a free agent. Chris Thompson is the only receiver on the practice squad.
For now, Goodwin’s roster spot remains unfilled. The 49ers may be saving it for defensive lineman Kentavius Street, who is working his way back off IR. His practice window was opened prior to the Saints game.
San Francisco didn’t add a receiver to the practice squad among their three moves there. They did release one, Deontay Burnett, who signed with the team in mid-October. The 49ers also released linebacker Christian Sam.
They filled one of the two vacancies with linebacker Joey Alfieri. Alfieri was an undrafted free agent signee by the Eagles after the 2019 draft. He was cut during camp by Philadelphia before making his way to the New York Giants where he was released during final roster cuts.
Alfieri played for four years at Stanford. He racked up 156 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, two interceptions, four pass breakups and two fumble recoveries.
San Francisco has an open spot on their 10-man practice squad, which could be an indication more moves are coming.