49ers general manager John Lynch on Monday had his season-opening press conference and offered a couple bits of good news for the team on the injury front. Two players will be moved off injured lists, and Richie James Jr. will come off the reserve/COVID-19 list according to the GM.
James’ activation from the reserve/COVID-19 list puts him back on the roster count. He took the spot previously held by defensive back DJ Reed, who was placed on the reserve/Non-Football Injury list. Those two moves kept the 49ers’ roster at 80 players. Lynch noted James would stay on the active/Non-Football Injury list while he nurses the hand injury he suffered during offseason workouts.
Lynch said two other players were activated off the active/Physically Unable to Perform list.
“It’s looking like Shawn Poindexter and Kentavius Street are going to be moved off, activated off, the PUP. So, they’ll be on the regular active roster.”
Poindexter, a second-year undrafted wide receiver tore his ACL in the preseason and spent the year on IR. Street has dealt with knee injuries since tearing his ACL in a pre-draft workout in 2018. He finally got into game action last year but went down with another knee injury.
A wide open competition at wide receiver could help Poindexter’s chances of making an impact. The former volleyball player has great size and athleticism, and there may be a role for him depending on how he develops as an all-around receiver.
Street has a shot to carve out a significant place in the defensive line rotation. He’s one of the players who’ll battle for some of the snaps left behind by DeForest Buckner, but he’s capable of playing any of the defensive line positions. A healthy year from Street would be a nice addition of depth for San Francisco.
They were on the active/PUP list so they’ve been on the active roster. Their move off the PUP won’t change their roster status and will keep San Francisco’s roster count at 80 heading into camp.
Three 49ers remain on the active/PUP list: Ronald Blair III, Weston Richburg and Jullian Taylor.