Tag: Cameron Latu

49ers 2023 rookie report card is mostly useless at halfway point

The #49ers rookie report card is … bare.

The 49ers didn’t pick until late in the third round of the 2023 draft. It didn’t seem like a big deal considering they still walked away with a nine-player class that had a chance to fill a couple of key needs.

There was never a realistic possibility the 49ers’ rookie class had a wide swath of contributors. However, the early returns from that group can’t even be labeled as “not promising” because the reality is a vast majority of the players haven’t had any chance to make a real contribution.

We went through the rookie class and dished out “grades” for their first half performances. It won’t take long to notice a pattern:

Update on 49ers injured reserve list after Week 6

Here’s what the #49ers injured reserve list looks like with a third of the season down:

The 49ers through six weeks have avoided any major injuries, leaving their injured reserve list much less active than it’s been in recent years.

Cornerback Samuel Womack is the only player who’s gone on IR since the season began., and with six weeks down San Francisco has a couple players eligible to come off of injured lists who still haven’t been activated.

Here’s a quick rundown of what the 49ers’ injured reserve and physically unable to perform lists look like heading into Week 7:

San Francisco 49ers place former Alabama tight end Cameron Latu on Injured Reserve

On Tuesday, the San Francisco 49ers placed former Alabama tight end Cameron Latu on Injured Reserve. Latu suffered a knee injury in the 49ers final preseason game against the Chargers.

The San Francisco 49ers placed former Alabama tight end Cameron Latu on Injured Reserve on Tuesday. Latu was selected in the third-round of the 2023 NFL draft by the 49ers.

During Week 3 of the preseason, Latu suffered a torn meniscus. As a result, Latu will undergo surgery which will cause him to miss the entire 2023 season.

The news is a huge blow for the 49ers as the team anticipated Latu being a part of its offense during his rookie season.

Latu will work his way back from injury with hopes of returning for the 2024 season.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Cameron Latu and other former Alabama players in the NFL.

49ers injuries: 4 placed on season-ending IR at final cuts

The #49ers placed 4 players on season-ending IR at their final roster cuts:

The 49ers on Tuesday placed four players on injured reserve as part of their maneuvers to get their roster cut down.

Kicker Zane Gonzalez, safety Tayler Hawkins, tight end Cameron Latu and cornerback AJ Parker were all sent to IR as part of the final cuts, which means their seasons are over with the 49ers. Players placed on IR after being named to the 53-man roster are eligible to return.

All four players who went on IR were banged up during the preseason finale vs. the Chargers.

Gonzalez is dealing with a calf injury he suffered during pregame warmups. Hawkins broke his hand and needs surgery per head coach Kyle Shanahan. Latu will also likely need surgery on a meniscus injury, and Parker is dealing with a hamstring strain he sustained while covering a punt.

That group will have a couple options.

They can stay on IR all year and rehab with the 49ers, or they can reach an injury settlement where they’re released from IR and become unrestricted free agents. Players released with injury settlements can’t re-sign with San Francisco until they length of their agreed-upon injury settlement has elapsed, plus an additional three weeks.

Another injury-related move was with cornerback Darrell Luter Jr., who was moved to the reserve/PUP list and will be required to miss at least the first four weeks. He’s working through a knee injury he sustained on the last day of OTAs.

There could be some additional injured list-related moves for the 49ers, but now that they’ve announced a 53-man roster those players will be eligible to return in 2023.

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Watch: 49ers’ Trey Lance finds Cameron Latu down the seam for touchdown vs. Broncos

Trey Lance ripped a pass down the seam to Cameron Latu for a fourth quarter touchdown pass in the preseason against the Broncos.

After Brock Purdy and Sam Darnold got reps under center in the preseason against the Denver Broncos, Trey Lance was next up. The third-year passer entered the game late in the third quarter.

Following a shaky start that included a tipped pass interception at the line of scrimmage, Lance lead the 49ers down the field for back-to-back scoring drives. Following a field goal on his drive after the interception, Lance pushed the 49ers down the field for a fourth-quarter touchdown drive.

From 22 yards out, Lance ripped a pass down the seam to rookie tight end Cameron Latu for a touchdown. To cap off the touchdown drive, Lance completed six consecutive passes, with his last going for a score to Latu.

With Lance’s second touchdown pass of the preseason, he cut the Broncos’ lead to only two points.

Via @49ers on Twitter:

This post originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! 

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7 players we’re excited to watch in 49ers preseason opener

Here’s a look at seven players that should be exciting to watch in the 49ers’ preseason opener against the Raiders on Sunday.

It’s not Christmas, but it’s close. On Sunday, The 49ers will open the preseason in Sin City against the Las Vegas Raiders.

It’s not a mirage in the desert, the 49ers will officially be on the field in uniform on Sunday for the first time since their loss in the NFC Championship to the Philadelphia Eagles.

It’s likely most of the starters and familiar faces for the 49ers will be on the sideline watching on Sunday. But, what’s exciting about the preseason is getting a look at some of the new faces for the first time in red and gold.

Players with chatter around their name — good and bad — will get the chance to make an impression on the fan base and coaching staff under the bright lights for the first time.

Heading into Sunday’s contest, here’s a look at seven players Niners Wire is excited to watch against the Raiders in the preseason.

49ers rookie TE says George Kittle has been a ‘tremendous help’ in training camp

Rookie Cameron Latu praised the 49ers star tight end for his help during training camp.

With three draft picks in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft, the San Francisco 49ers addressed the tight end position. With the No. 101 overall pick in the 2023 draft, John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan landed on former Bryce Young target Cameron Latu. 

In his rookie training camp, Latu gets to learn from one of the most accomplished tight ends in all of football, George Kittle. Following practice on Tuesday, the rookie pass catcher spoke about his learning process and how Kittle has helped him learn early in camp. 

I was at Alabama for five years, I’ve been here for about less than five months. It’s coming faster for me now that I understand the game of football as a tight end. Getting coached by Coach Fleury — very good coach. Got guys like George Kittle, Ross Dwelley, Charlie Woerner, Troy [Fumagalli] — guys that are just vets that can help me along the way — understand the game. How to play in different scenarios that they’ve been in on every play. So, I’m just trying to slow the game down for myself. 

He’s [Kittle] been a tremendous help — just by vision of the game. What he sees on the field and how he translates it into the film room so I can understand it. That’s what I mean when I think too much. I’m just trying to do a lot of different stuff that I’m just getting thrown at me, and I’m just trying to be perfect. It’s one day at a time. We are going to work through it and get better every day. 

Via @NBCS49ers on Twitter: 

In his final season under Nick Saban at Alabama, Latu recorded 30 catches for 377 yards and four touchdowns in 11 games. In his junior season in Tuscaloosa, the former linebacker turned tight end put together his best college season with 26 receptions for 410 yards and eight touchdowns for the Tide. 

With most of the 49ers’ tight end position covered by proven veterans, Latu should have a chance to make an impression in the 49ers’ upcoming preseason opener against the Las Vegas Raiders in Sin City. Following a set of joint practices, the 49ers are set to meet the Raiders on Sunday at 1 p.m. PT. 

This post originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! 

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Draft reaction: San Francisco 49ers select TE Cameron Latu No. 101 overall

Draft reaction: San Francisco 49ers select Alabama TE Cameron Latu in the third round

The San Francisco 49ers get an athletic developmental piece to stick behind one of the best weapons in the game in George Kittle with the selection of Alabama tight end Cameron Latu.

A two-year starter for the Crimson Tide, Latu was a lean athletic weapon for the Alabama offense and a key contributor in the short area passing game. During his final two college seasons, Latu put up the best numbers of his career with 56 catches, 787 yards, and an impressive twelve touchdowns. While he was not featured in the passing game, Latu’s upside was clear.

With the 49ers Latu will obviously not start given the 49ers already have one of the best tight ends in the game on the roster. Given Latu’s versatility and athleticism, however, it would not be surprising to see him snuck into certain packages to get touches, especially closer to the goal line. Latu is at least a few years of development away from threatening the starting position.

Alabama football countdown to kickoff: 81 days

We are now just 81 days away until Alabama football kicks off the 2023 season!

The Alabama Crimson Tide will take the field for the 2023 college football season in 82 days, as Middle Tennessee State visits Bryant Denny Stadium on Sept. 2.

Here at Roll Tide Wire, we will be counting down the days until [autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag] and his team take the field.

Today, with 81 days remaining until kickoff, we take a look at [autotag]Cameron Latu[/autotag], a former standout tight end for the Crimson Tide that wore No. 81 and played in Tuscaloosa from 2018-22.

In his career with Alabama, Latu totaled 56 receptions for 787 yards and 12 touchdowns. His play for the Tide earned him a third-round selection in the 2023 NFL draft by the San Francisco 49ers.

Maryland transfer tight end [autotag]CJ Dippre[/autotag] will wear No. 81 for Alabama in 2023.

Cameron Latu’s Photo Gallery

Five reasons why TE Cameron Latu is a perfect fit for the San Francisco 49ers

Alabama tight end Cameron Latu was chosen in the third round by the San Francisco 49ers on Friday night. Roll Tide Wire takes a look at five reasons why Latu is a fit for the 49ers.

The San Francisco 49ers chose Alabama tight end Cameron Latu with the No. 101 overall pick in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Many were expecting Latu to be a Day 3 pick. However, the 49ers were impressed enough to pick the Utah native right before the end of the third round on Day 2.

Latu has the skillset to be productive at the professional level. He is 6-foot-5, 244 pounds and uses his frame as his strength. Latu made strides in the last two seasons at Alabama as both a blocking and receiving tight end.

Roll Tide Wire breaks down five reasons why Latu will be a great fit for the 49ers.