Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
By Saturday night, the 49ers, and every other team in the NFL, will have their initial 53-man roster, which are due by 1 p.m. PT. Roster evolution is of course, fluid, and many of these player being cut will return via the practice squad, which has now expanded to 16 players, and for the first time, allows two players per week to be called up to the active roster without being removed from the practice squad (this can be done twice before the player has to be signed to the active roster.
Especially for many of these younger guys, these practice squad spots will allow them to remain around the team and potentially see game action once the season gets underway.
This is a living document and will be updated as cuts are revealed:
On Friday, the 49ers released nickel corner Jamar Taylor, per The Athletic’s Matt Barrows, who never seemed likely to make the roster given his specificity as a backup to a non-every down position.
#49ers have informed veteran CB Jamar Taylor that he's being released. Taylor filled in well at nickel cornerback after K'Waun Williams got hurt. Team has some depth at the possession this season.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) September 3, 2020
Recently-signed offensive linemen Dakoda Shepley, who was voted the Most Outstanding Rookie last year in on the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League, was cut, per Barrows. He’s a very likely practice squad candidate.
#49ers have informed C Dakoda Shepley of his release. He's an interesting guy — CFL standout, very athletic for the position. SF eyeing him for the practice squad. (Re-posted because I had misspelled Dakoda)
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) September 5, 2020
According to David Lombardi of The Athletic, the 49ers will make the expected cut of Josh Hokit, the backup fullback and Kyle Juszczyk understudy. He’ll go on practice squad, assuming he’s not signed.
Per source, the 49ers have waived rookie fullback Josh Hokit, but he intends to sign with the team’s practice squad. After Hokit's impressive camp, the 49ers want to keep the Fresno State product in their building
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) September 5, 2020
Jauan Jennings is the first substantial/potentially surprising name to not make the roster, though he is effectively a tall slot receiver and the 49ers already have two bona fide slot guys in Trent Taylor and Kendrick Bourne (and Richie James Jr., if he makes the team). Jennings announced the cut on Instagram and will likely be welcomed to the practice squad if he clears waivers.
Undrafted rookie linebacker Evan Foster has been waived, according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle.
#49ers have waived undrafted rookie LB Evan Foster, per source.
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) September 5, 2020
Per NBC Sports’ Jennifer Lee Chan, Ross Reynolds has been waived/injured. He suffered a bone bruise and was carted off the field during training camp.
#49ers have waived/injured OL Ross Reynolds per source.
Reynolds was carted off of the field during practice August 23 with what was later confirmed as a bone bruise.
— Jennifer Lee Chan -all platforms: @jenniferleechan (@jenniferleechan) September 5, 2020
Per Barrows, JaMycal Hasty, who stood out, but was competing against four other running backs with solid standing, was waived. If he is not picked up, the 49ers will feel grateful to have him on the practice squad.
Good-looking running back JaMycal Hasty has been informed he's been waived, per source. Suffice to say, he has an excellent chance of winding up on #49ers practice squad.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) September 5, 2020
Per Maiocco, Shawn Poindexter, who tore his ACL last preseason, was waived and will not be offered a spot on the practice squad.
The #49ers have waived WR Shawn Poindexter, he just told me. As of now, SF is not planning to bring him back to the practice squad. But they’ll keep in touch with him as the season progresses. He looked good in camp as he returned from a knee injury of last summer.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) September 5, 2020
Per Barrows, veteran linebacker and special teamer Joe Walker was released. Given that Fred Warner is still on the reserve/COVID-19 list which does not count against the roster, that would suggest the team’s remaining linebackers in Kwon Alexander, Dre Greenlaw, Azeez Al-Shaair, Mark Nzeocha and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, are likely to have made the roster, assuming the team keeps five linebackers.
#49ers have released inside linebacker Joe Walker, per source. Walker was competing for one of the two reserve LB spots.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) September 5, 2020
Per Barrows, linebacker Mark Nzeocha, defensive linemen Kentavius Street and Kevin Givens and running back Jeff Wilson Jr. have made the team.
One of the most popular #49ers among fans, RB Jeff Wilson, has made the initial roster, something he didn't do last season. (Was elevated after Week 1). Wilson is the team's No. 4 tailback.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) September 5, 2020
Per Barrows, the team cut veteran safety Johnathan Cyprien, corners Tim Harris and Donate Johnson, undrafted rookie nose tackle Darrion Daniels and center Hroniss Grassu, effectively confirming Daniel Brunskill as the team’s Week 1 starting center if Ben Garland isn’t healthy by then.
Among #49ers' cuts: S Johnathan Cyprien, CBs Tim Harris and Dontae Johnson, DL Darrion Daniels, C Hroniss Grasu
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) September 5, 2020
According to Field Yates of ESPN, both wide receiver Kevin White and defensive end Dion Jordan, who had a horrible camp, were cut.
The 49ers have released DE Dion Jordan and WR Kevin White.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 5, 2020
Below is the official list of releases, per the 49ers. The team waived/injured OL Ross Reynolds. The team also activated WR Deebo Samuel from the Active/Non-Football Injury List and placed DL Ronald Blair III, C Weston Richburg and DL Jullian Taylor on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform List:
DL Alex Barrett
WR River Cracraft
S Johnathan Cyprien
DL Darrion Daniels
LB Evan Foster
OL Hroniss Grasu
TE MarQueis Gray
TE Chase Harrell
CB Tim Harris Jr.
RB JaMycal Hasty
FB Josh Hokit
WR Jauan Jennings
CB Dontae Johnson
OL Jaryd Jones-Smith
DL Dion Jordan
DL Cameron Malveaux
S Jared Mayden
WR Shawn Poindexter
OL Dakoda Shepley
OL William Sweet
CB Jamar Taylor
LB Joe Walker
WR Kevin White
