Tag: 49ers roster moves

49ers officially announce release of DL Arik Armstead

It’s official: Arik Armstead has been released.

The Arik Armstead era is over in San Francisco. The 49ers on Wednesday announced his release as part of their roster moves to kick off the new league year. They also officially announced the return of quarterback Brandon Allen and a one-year extension for offensive lineman Colton McKivitz.

There was a little optimism entering Wednesday that the 49ers might be able to find a deal with Armstead where he returned at a lower salary number, but he opted for free agency as was originally reported. It became clear his return wasn’t happening once the 49ers’ acquisition of defensive tackle Maliek Collins in a trade with the Texans was reported.

By waiting until the start of the new league year to let Armstead go the 49ers can designate him as a post-June 1 release which saves them a ton of money against the cap. They’ll still eat $10,313,824 in dead cap, but they’ll save $18,039,412 against the cap in June by giving him a post-June 1 designation.

Armstead is now free to sign with another club.

The 49ers selected Armstead No. 17 overall in the 2015 draft. He put together a terrific nine seasons in San Francisco where he posted 33.5 sacks and became a vital piece of their defensive line after dealing with a slew of injuries in the early part of his career. Armstead is still a versatile defender and run stopper, and he won’t be 31 until November.

Injuries forced him to miss 13 games the last two seasons, but when he’s been healthy he’s been a productive player who should be able to help a defensive line.

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49ers add DE depth to practice squad, release RB

The #49ers added some DE depth to their practice squad on Tuesday.

The 49ers on Tuesday announced a change to their practice squad.

Defensive end Austin Bryant is back with the club. Running back Jeremy McNichols was released to make room for the veteran DE.

Bryant was with the 49ers earlier this season and saw action in Weeks 1 and 5, with one tackle in the Week 5 win over the Cowboys. He joined the Vikings practice squad, but got released on January 15. This move gives the 49ers internal DE depth while Clelin Ferrell deals with a knee injury that’s expected to keep him out a couple weeks.

McNichols saw time in three games after joining the 49ers’ practice squad in late September. In those three games he played 20 special teams snaps.

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49ers roster moves: WR Ray-Ray McCloud activated off IR

Here are the 49ers recently-announced roster moves and what they mean for Week 18;

The 49ers on Saturday activated wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud off IR as part of a couple roster moves leading up to their Week 18 matchup against the Rams.They also downgraded WRs Danny Gray (shoulder) and Jauan Jennings (concussion) to out. Fullback Kyle Juszczyk (illness) is now questionable.

McCloud has been on IR since Week 13 and had his practice window opened Wednesday. After a full week of practice he’s ready to suit up in San Francisco’s season finale. In a corresponding move the 49ers placed tight end Ross Dwelley on IR as he works through a high ankle sprain he suffered back in Week 13.

There should be plenty of opportunities on offense for McCloud in Sunday’s game with some starters likely to come out of the contest at some point. The bigger deal for the 49ers is getting their regular kick and punt returner back though. Rookie WR Ronnie Bell has had a couple shaky moments filling in for McCloud. Now McCloud will get a chance to get some game action under his belt before the postseason begins.

The 49ers also elevated safety Tayler Hawkins and running back Jeremy McNichols. Hawkins, a second-year undrafted player, should get some opportunities on defense alongside Logan Ryan with Ji’Ayir Brown and Tashaun Gipson already ruled out. Isaiah Oliver could also play safety in a pinch.

McNichols gives the 49ers depth on special teams, but he may also see time on offense with Christian McCaffrey out. It’s unclear how the 49ers plan to divvy up their backfield touches. It wouldn’t be a surprise if McNichols gets a couple carries late in Sunday’s game.

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49ers make roster moves ahead of reported Sebastian Joseph-Day signing

Updating a wave of #49ers roster moves and reported signings:

The 49ers on Tuesday announced a couple roster moves that will clear the way for a couple of reported signings that haven’t been made official yet.

San Francisco on Monday before their game against the Ravens released offensive lineman Matt Pryor, and promoted wide receiver Willie Snead IV to the active roster.

Now Snead has been waived, a practice squad player has been released, and the team is expected to bring Pryor back with a free agent defensive tackle set to sign ahead of Week 17.

Here’s how the roster moves shook out:

49ers roster moves: 2 elevated from practice squad for Week 15

The 49ers brought up a DL and RB off the practice squad for Sunday:

The 49ers on Saturday made a couple roster moves for their Week 15 showdown with the Arizona Cardinals.

With injuries at running back and on the defensive line, San Francisco elevated RB Jeremy McNichols and DL T.Y. McGill from the practice squad. Both players will revert to the practice squad after Sunday’s game.

McNichols was up for Week 14 as well with RB Elijah Mitchell battling a knee injury. He’s a special teams contributor and emergency depth piece in the backfield.

McGill could see a significant role on the defensive line with Arik Armstead and Javon Hargrave both ruled out. Last season McGill played in nine games for the 49ers and posted eight tackles with two tackles for loss. He’ll be in the rotation alongside Javon Kinlaw and Kevin Givens.

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49ers roster moves: WR and S added from practice squad before Eagles game

What we can take away from the #49ers’ Saturday roster moves:

The 49ers on Saturday announced a pair of roster moves ahead of Sunday’s showdown with the Eagles in Philadelphia. Wide receiver Chris Conley and safety Erik Harris were elevated from the practice squad.

Conley’s elevation is a sign that Ray-Ray McCloud’s rib injury isn’t trending the right direction. He’s listed as questionable after only getting a limited practice in Friday.

Harris joined the 49ers’ practice squad ahead of Week 13 and will make his debut Sunday. He’ll provide depth at safety after the injuries to George Odum and Talanoa Hufanga. Harris also figures to contribute heavily on special teams with Odum out.

That San Francisco didn’t elevate one of their three practice squad. defensive lineman is a good sign for Arik Armstead who is questionable with a foot injury. He also missed Wednesday and Thursday before suiting up Friday for a limited session.

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49ers make practice squad moves after injuries in secondary

The #49ers added some in-house depth after injuries hit their secondary.

The 49ers in the last two weeks have lost two of the four safeties on their 53-man roster. Now they’re making some in-house additions to their practice squad to provide depth in the back end of the secondary.

With safety Talanoa Hufanga done for the year with an ACL tear and safety George Odum dealing with a biceps tear that landed him on IR and will likely end his season, San Francisco on Monday added safety Erik Harris and cornerback Kemon Hall to their practice squad. In a corresponding move to clear a spot they released offensive lineman Henry Byrd.

Harris, 33, has played in 91 games with 43 starts since 2016. Between 2018 and 2021 with the Raiders and Falcons he had substantial roles on defense, but he’s been a major special teams contributor throughout his career. If he winds up suiting up for San Francisco it would be on special teams where Odum was a stalwart.

Hall is less experienced than Harris at just 26 years old with only two NFL seasons under his belt. Across 18 games with the Chargers in 2021 and 2022 he played 334 special teams snaps. That’s also where he figures to be a potential contributor for San Francisco.

Tayler Hawkins, a second-year undrafted free agent, is the other safety on the 49ers’ practice squad. He’s been with the team all of the last two years and has yet to make his debut.

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49ers roster moves: CB, WR elevated from practice squad for Bengals game

Got some #49ers roster moves for ya

The San Francisco 49ers on Saturday announced a pair of roster moves before their Week 8 matchup vs the Cincinnati Bengals. Cornerback Kendall Sheffield and wide receiver Willie Snead IV were both elevated from the practice squad.

Sheffield gives the team some added CB depth with Samuel Womack still on IR. His role will be relegated to special teams barring a catastrophe in the 49ers’ secondary.  He’s played in two games with San Francisco this season when he was elevated from the practice squad for Weeks 4 and 5.

For Snead this will be his second appearance with San Francisco this season after playing in four contests a year ago. Snead also was up for Week 4 where he caught one pass for nine yards and contributed on special teams. Special teams work was where the veteran WR got most of his playing time last season also.

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49ers roster moves: DE Austin Bryant elevated from practice squad since Randy Gregory won’t play in Week 5

With Randy Gregory out, the #49ers are elevating a DE from the practice squad.

The 49ers on Saturday made a couple roster moves before their Sunday night showdown with the Cowboys.

San Francisco elevated defensive end Austin Bryant and cornerback Kendall Sheffield from the practice squad. Both will revert to the practice squad after Sunday night’s game.

Bryant will be up to fill the void left by DE Kerry Hyder, who was released to make room for DE Randy Gregory. Gregory won’t play Sunday per head coach Kyle Shanahan, so Bryant will add depth at defensive end.

The 49ers brought Bryant up in Week 1. He didn’t record any stats vs. Pittsburgh.

Sheffield debuted with San Francisco in Week 4 and contributed primarily on special teams despite being added to the practice squad that same week. His performance earned him another shot on the active roster with Samuel Womack still on Injured Reserve.

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49ers shake up practice squad, release RB Jeremy McNichols, add 3 others

The #49ers added a pair of defensive backs AND a tight end to their practice squad.

The 49ers on Wednesday announced some significant changes to their practice squad. Just one day after signing running back Jeremy McNichols, the team released him as part of a move that added a trio of players to their 17-man practice unit.

San Francisco because of some injuries and other maneuvers had a pair of practice squad spots already open. The McNichols release created a third vacancy.

The three openings were filled by safety Tre Norwood, cornerback Kendall Sheffield and tight end Jake Tonges.

Here’s a quick rundown on each new addition: