Tag: 49ers roster moves

49ers roster moves: Veteran CB signed, undrafted DB waived

The #49ers made a couple roster moves, including the addition of a veteran CB to help their ailing secondary.

The 49ers on Wednesday announced a pair of roster moves. They added veteran cornerback Ken Crawley, and in a corresponding move waived/injured undrafted safety Leon O’Neal.

Crawley will give the 49ers some much-needed depth in their secondary with CBs Emmanuel Moseley and Charvarius Ward both dealing with injuries.

The Saints originally signed Crawley as an undrafted free agent after the 2016 draft. He debuted for the club that year when he played in 15 games with five starts. Crawley started all 13 games he played in 2017, then started five of his 10 games the following year. There was a brief stint in Miami in 2019 after the Saints waived him, then he wound up back with the Saints for 2020 and 2021.

In his career Crawley has played in 55 games with 25 starts. He has two interceptions and 32 pass breakups.

O’Neal signed with the 49ers after this year’s draft. The Texas A&M product had a pre-draft visit with San Francisco, but a crowded safety room was going to make it hard for him to nose his way into a role. An injury designation means he’ll revert to the 49ers’ Injured Reserve if he isn’t claimed off waivers.

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Mitch Wishnowsky activated off COVID-19 list among several 49ers roster moves

The #49ers made a bunch of roster moves ahead of their matchup with the Texans.

The 49ers on Saturday announced a slew of roster moves ahead of their Week 17 matchup with the Houston Texans. Most of the alterations involved special teams contributors, including Mitch Wishnowsky’s activation off the Reserve/COVID-19 list.

Given San Francisco’s special teams issues this year, it’s a significant deal for them to have their starting punter. Colby Wadman, who hasn’t played in an NFL regular season game since 2019, was added to the practice squad and would’ve taken Wishnowsky’s place.

The 49ers also announced tight end Tanner Hudson was promoted to the active roster, while linebackers Curtis Robinson and Mark Nzeocha were elevated to the roster for Sunday’s game. All three figure to contribute on special teams, but Hudson could see some game action depending on how the 49ers offense operates with Trey Lance under center.

In a corresponding move to clear a roster spot, San Francisco released running back Brian Hill. His spot became expendable with Elijah Mitchell likely to return from a knee injury. Hill was limited to special teams contributions during his stint with the 49ers.

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49ers add RB to practice squad, release S Tony Jefferson

The #49ers added a running back to their practice squad with just one fully healthy RB on their roster.

The 49ers have some bad injury issues in their backfield, and for the second time this season they find themselves scrambling for depth. San Francisco on Wednesday announced running back Brian Hill was added to their practice squad. Safety Tony Jefferson was released in a corresponding move.

JaMycal Hasty is the only running back on the 49ers’ roster that practiced in full Wednesday. Jeff Wilson Jr. (knee) was a limited participant. Elijah Mitchell (knee, concussion) and Trenton Cannon (concussion) were both absent from the session.

Hill, 26, was a fifth-round pick of the Falcons in 2017. Atlanta cut him during his rookie year and Cincinnati added him for six games. He rejoined the Falcons the following year and spent the next three seasons there. In four NFL seasons Hill has played in 45 games with three starts. He notched 982 yards and three touchdowns on 209 carries. The Titans signed Hill this offseason, but was let go at final roster cuts. He also spent time with the Browns practice squad in November.

There’s a good chance Hill is at least active Sunday and depending on Wilson’s knee he could see a role as the RB2 behind Hasty.

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49ers officially activate 3 off injured lists, place Dee Ford on IR

The #49ers officially activated TE George Kittle, K Robbie Gould and RB Jeff Wilson Jr. on Saturday. They also placed DE Dee Ford on IR.

The 49ers on Saturday activated a trio of players off injured lists. Tight end George Kittle and kicker Robbie Gould were both taken off injured reserve. Running back Jeff Wilson Jr. was activated off the physically unable to perform list, and defensive lineman Dee Ford went on IR.

Kittle was dealing with a calf injury early in the year that eventually required him to go on IR in Week 5. His receiving numbers were subpar by his astronomically high standards through four games, and a fully healthy Kittle figures to start seeing an uptick in productivity in the passing game. In four games this year he has 19 catches for 227 yards and no touchdowns.

Gould hurt his groin in pregame warm ups ahead of the 49ers’ Week 4 matchup with the Seahawks. Joey Slye did fine in Gould’s stead, but having a reliable veteran will help San Francisco down the stretch in tight games with possible playoff implications. Slye was released early in the week, setting the table for Gould’s return.

Wilson was a question mark when his practice window was opened to start the week. He hasn’t played since Week 17 of last year after a torn meniscus in May knocked him out of all on-field preseason work. It sounded like he would need a couple weeks of practices, but his recovery went better than anticipated and a strong week of work in the lead up to Week 9 set the table for Wilson to return. He could see a sizable workload right away if rookie RB Elijah Mitchell (ribs) is out. Mitchell was listed as ‘questionable’ on Friday’s injury report.

In a corresponding move to these additions, the 49ers waived defensive lineman Zach Kerr.

Ford was also placed on IR with a back injury that cropped up in practice. He was a full participant Wednesday, and then limited Thursday and Friday. His absence makes the trade for Charles Omenihu more vital for the 49ers who need depth on the edge. Ford will be required to miss at least three games. In six games this season Ford has 3.0 sacks which ranks second on the team.

The 49ers also brought up linebacker Tyrell Adams and safety Tony Jefferson. Jefferson will provide additional safety depth with starting safeties Jimmie Ward and Jaquiski Tartt both sidelined by injury.

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49ers roster moves: 2 DL officially activated, Javon Kinlaw, Jaquiski Tartt go on IR

The #49ers made some roster moves on the defensive line ahead of their Week 8 game in Chicago.

The 49ers on Saturday announced a handful of roster moves ahead of their Week 8 showdown with the Bears in Chicago. Most of the shuffling came on the defensive line where Kevin Givens was activated off injured reserve and Jordan Willis was added to the roster following the conclusion of his suspension. Javon Kinlaw, who underwent season-ending knee surgery, was officially placed on IR, along with strong safety Jaquiski Tartt who is dealing with a knee contusion. Tight end Jordan Matthews and safety Kai Nacua were elevated from the practice squad.

Givens suffered a high ankle sprain in the 49ers’ Week 2 win over the Eagles. He’s been a nice find for them since joining the team as an undrafted free agent in 2019. In 16 career games he has 1.0 sacks, 21 tackles and five tackles for loss. His presence on the interior will be key in Kinlaw’s absence.

The NFL handed Willis a six-game suspension this offseason for violating their performance-enhancing substance policy. That suspension was lifted after the 49ers’ loss to the Colts, and he was with the team in the lead up to Week 8 thanks to a roster exemption that allows suspended players to be on the roster for a week without counting against the 53-player limit.

Willis’ return will be key with Dee Ford likely out with a concussion and Samson Ebukam questionable with an ankle issue. The 49ers acquired Willis in a trade with the Jets last season. He posted 2.5 sacks in seven games.

Kinlaw had knee surgery to help fix a problem that had ailed him since the draft. The hope is a season-ending procedure now will help him be ready to play a full slate next year after missing two games this season. His absence in the middle will require the 49ers to dig into the depth the established in the interior this offseason.

Tartt is expected to miss a few weeks with his knee injury, and an IR stint means he’ll miss a minimum of three games. He was injured in the 49ers’ loss to the Colts in Week 7. Rookie Talanoa Hufanga will take his place in the starting lineup.

Matthews gives the 49ers some additional tight end depth. He’s a better pass-catching option than Tanner Hudson who had been working as the third tight end with George Kittle out.

Nacua will help the depth in the secondary and fill a special teams role while Hufanga gets the start at safety.

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