The 49ers got some bad injury news following their first joint practice with the Las Vegas Raiders. Wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud suffered a broken wrist that will require surgery according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. Matt Barrows of the Athletic reported the injury occurred during Tuesday’s practice. McCloud could be out up to eight weeks.
This puts the 49ers in a bit of a bind since it sounds like McCloud will miss the first few weeks of the regular season.
San Francisco could keep him on the active roster and keep him inactive on game days until he’s ready. With four weeks until the regular-season opener that means he’d likely be inactive for the first four games.
They could also put him on the IR after putting him on the active roster. That means he’d have to miss at least four games before being activated.
McCloud last season carved out a small role in the 49ers offense where he hauled in 14 receptions for 243 yards and his first-career receiving TD. He also primarily handled kick and punt return duties.
With McCloud out the kick and punt return duties fall to veteran WR Willie Snead IV, rookie WR Ronnie Bell and rookie CB D’Shawn Jamison per the team’s depth chart. His absence could open the door for one of those players to make the initial 53-man roster.
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