After a few days of roster shakeups, demotions, cuts, and re-signings, the San Francisco 49ers went wheels up to Melbourne and have subsequently arrived as they prepare for the season opener against the Los Angeles Rams next week.
The game cannot come soon enough, considering the tumultuous offseason the 49ers have endured both on and off the field. The injured list currently stands at 12, while the practice squad has 17 players. Troubled receiver Brandon Aiyuk, meanwhile, remains on the Reserve/Left Squad List on the 49ers' roster.
Other receivers legitimately on the roster are out indefinitely, like Christian Kirk (calf, on IR) and Ricky Pearsall (knee/PCL, out for the season). Meanwhile, three team standouts—Mike Evans, George Kittle, and Nick Bosa—have been participating individually at practice as they recover from injuries.
The 49ers will carry three quarterbacks, four tight ends, and nine offensive linemen. n. One of the more surprising selections was defensive lineman James Thompson Jr., an undrafted free agent who impressed during the preseason.
Quick hits on the 49ers' 53-man roster:
#0 - Renardo Green - Kyle Shanahan chewing Green out on the sidelines during the playoff loss at Seattle wasn't his best look. Seven pass breakups last year masked a season that was less than pedestrian based on the metrics.
#2 - Deommodore Lenoir - Entrenched as the team's #1 corner. Third most defensive snaps played among DBs in '25. Very good football instincts, but needs to improve support against the run.
#4 - Jacob Cowing - A hamstring injury sidelined him for the 2025 season. Christian Kirk's injury, in addition to his preseason punt-return TD against the Raiders, gave Cowing an opportunity to make the opening 53 for the time being.
#5 - Mike Evans - Twelve stellar seasons in Tampa Bay, which included 11 straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons. He is currently working through an abductor injury. Evans's size and physicality will be a welcome addition, especially in the red zone.
#6 - Malik Mustapha - Good but not great season last year, in which Mustapha set a career high in tackles despite missing five games. Creating turnovers should be the next step in his development.
#7 - De'Zhuan Stribling - First pick of the second round in April. Ricky Pearsall being out will give him an immediate opportunity to produce. His stats aside in preseason (11 receptions), what's immediately noticeable about Stribling: strong hands and a reliable target on 3rd down.
#9 - Brayden Willis - Strictly a special teamer, with no offensive experience, simply based on necessity. He recorded three special teams tackles last season.
#10 - Mac Jones - Five wins in eight starts last season while filling in for Brock Purdy, throwing for 13 TDs. There was trade interest in Jones during the offseason, but nothing serious. The 49ers have a very capable backup quarterback.
#11 - Demarcus Robinson - Not much volume in the regular season, but showed out big in the Wild Card win against the Eagles (6 recs, 111 yds, TD). When the receiver room is healthy, D-Rob is deep on the depth chart.
#13 - Brock Purdy - The turf toe injury limited him to nine games, winning seven. Thirty-five combined wins between the regular season and the playoffs in four years. He's still accurate, efficient, and elusive escaping the pocket but needs to limit bad-decision interceptions. The 49ers will go as far as Purdy can take them.
#14 - Kurtis Rourke - His preseason performance against Tennessee essentially kept him in the building, as opposed to potentially losing him on waivers. He could be QB2 to Brock Purdy, dependent on Mac Jones's future prospects.
#15 - Corliss Waitman - First lefty punter in 35 years for the 49ers. Does not punt for big yardage, but hang time and field positioning (30 of 49 punts inside 20 in '25) are very good.
#17 - Jordan Watkins - More impressive than De'Zhaun Stribling statistically in the preseason. Not the greatest route runner or best hands, but the speed and versatility make Watkins's impact on special teams, most likely.
#18 - Eddy Pineiro - A 61-yard attempt was the only field goal miss of his campaign last year, connecting on his first 25. Robbie Gould-type reliability with a stronger leg, just as long as PATs don't become a problem (missed five in total).
#19 - Deebo Samuel - Back on a one-year deal for his seventh 49ers season out of eight. Still a solid possession receiver with nearly half his catches for first downs in '25, but declining rush attempts view Deebo as more versatile support.
#20 - Upton Stout - In between recording a sack and forced fumble, Stout also had 10 QB pressures, a high number from the nickel corner spot. Needs to maintain consistency in coverage, but the playmaking ability, aggressiveness, and tackling are all pluses.
#23 - Christian McCaffrey - The workload needs to be significantly reduced from the eye-opening 450 touches last year. The speed may have lost a step, but the production and versatility make CMC one of the more invaluable 49ers as he begins his age-30 2026 season.
#24 - Ashtyn Davis - Signed in June and re-signed before final cuts last week. Can contribute on special teams and has a knack for being around the ball at safety (14 career forced turnovers). Good depth piece if Brown or Mustapha struggle.
#25 - Jack Jones - Similar to Ashtyn Davis in terms of aggressive style of play and ball-hawking turnovers, with more game-breaking type impact (four career pick-sixes).
#26 - Kaelon Black - Third-round pick out of Indiana, Black is marked as RB2 behind McCaffrey. Has the vision and physicality, and he can pick up a blitzing pass rusher. Averaged five yards per carry in preseason.
#27 - Ji'Yair Brown - Brown has the ball skills and instincts to be a solid contributor at safety (six passes defensed in each of the last two years), but has struggled tremendously in coverage.
#29 - Jordan James - Inactive for most of '25, but got some garbage-time carries in the Divisional game against Seattle. James possesses toughness and good vision. Will juggle for carries with Kaelon Black.
#33 - Siran Neal - Special Teams maven, recording 6 tackles last year. Did not play a defensive snap, so more of an emergency depth piece, if necessary.
#35 - Ephesians Prysock - The physical traits of Prysock are excellent (6'3", 195 lbs.), along with a wide wingspan. Two passes defended in the preseason, in limited opportunities, give him the potential to contribute in his rookie season.
#36 - Marques Sigle - He supported against the run effectively in seven starts during his rookie year, but much like Ji'Yair Brown, struggled often in coverage.
#44 - Kyle Juszczyk - Fullbacks in general are a dying breed in the NFL, especially those as accomplished as Juszczyk. A safety net in the flat receiving, but known for his supreme blocking and intelligence. He is entering his 10th season as a member of the 49ers and 15th overall.
#48 - Tatum Bethune - Notched eight starts filling in for an injured Fred Warner last season. Does not have great athleticism and is not the most polished tackler, but offers good run defense support.
#49 - Garret Wallow - Claimed off waivers from Denver in December when the linebacker group was decimated with injuries. Wallow has experience on special teams, but his 11 tackles against the Eagles in the playoff win definitely stood out.
#51 - Luke Gifford - The special teams standout was selected to the Pro Bowl last season. Also started nine games at linebacker. Gifford is a complementary player with experience.
#53 - Jaden Dugger - Drafted in the 5th round, Dugger has good size and athleticism, but is still developing as a linebacker. Showed up big against the Raiders in the preseason finale (14 tackles).
#54 - Fred Warner - A fractured ankle ended his season at Tampa Bay last year, his first major injury. As complete a linebacker as there is in the NFL. The unquestioned leader of the 49ers defense.
#56 - Keion White - Provides a decent pass rush opposite Nick Bosa, but does not tally many sacks. Can also jump in to interior, but needs to improve against the run.
#57 - Dre Greenlaw - A thigh injury limited him to eight games in Denver, but he is back with the 49ers on a one-year deal. Greenlaw can still cover backs and tight ends and offer good support against the run, but his durability of late is questionable (10 games played last two seasons).
#58 - Jarrett Patterson - After the 49ers cut Robert Jones, Patterson was acquired from Houston for a future late draft pick. Not a physical run blocker, but his experience and pass protection are both good enough. Likely to be used as an interior swing lineman.
#64 - Jake Brendel - The 49ers' starting center for the past four seasons is durable and experienced but has struggled against more athletic interior pass rushers.
#68 - Colton McKivitz - Despite a 300+ pound frame, McKivitz is not the most forceful blocker in the run game, and his five penalties in 2025 led the O-line, but he has good footwork and overall mobility. Not spectacular, but solid. Has started every game in the last three seasons.
#69 - Enrique Cruz Jr. - Drafted in the fifth round, Cruz will likely be seen as a work-in-progress project before becoming a possible successor to Trent Williams. The mechanics need refining, but the 49ers do like his size, speed, and power.
#71 - Trent Williams - Excellent in the run game and pass protection even at age 38. Can also maneuver into second level on screen passes, while maintaining length and elite power. Williams is as competitive and strong as NFL tackles go for the future HOFer.
#74 - Carver Willis - Strong on the run-blocking schemes, has a quick first step, and has the experience (played six college seasons). Pass protection can use some fine-tuning.
#75 - Connor Colby - It looks as though Colby won the left guard starting job over Willis, and similarly is effective in run blocking while pass protection needs improvement. Reasonable to presume he will be on a short leash with Willis and Patterson lurking on the depth chart.
#76 - Vederian Lowe - More of a reverse splits lineman with better metrics in protection than run blocking. An ankle injury sidelined Lowe for most of training camp and all of preseason. Set as a swing tackle.
#77 - Dominick Puni - Physical up front and consistent in both protection and run blocking. Puni played well down the stretch after adjusting overall technique. Started all 17 games at right guard
#85 - George Kittle - Injury-plagued season last year for Kittle, dealing with a hamstring, ankle, and a torn Achilles in the Wild Card game. Still considered one of the few complete tight ends with the receiving and blocking skills, but recent injury history is a concern.
#88 - Jake Tonges - He's not George Kittle (who is?!), but he produced efficiently with 34 receptions and five TDs. Not much speed, but Tonges has reliable hands and can help with run blocking—a competent TE2.
#89 - Luke Farrell - Not as productive as Tonges was in Kittle's absence, but produced modestly in four starts. Used mainly as a blocking tight end.
#91 - Sam Okauyinonu - Just placed on injured reserve this week after a broken foot, replaced by Khalid Kareem, a linebacker from Atlanta's practice squad. When healthy, Okauyinonu helps stop the run and has a high motor, but lacks a dynamic first step.
#92 - Osa Odighizuwa - Acquired in March for a 3rd-round pick. Excellent against the run, and while he doesn't accumulate many sacks, 23 quarterback hits last season ranked first among defensive tackles. Odighizuwa is an underrated and quality player.
#93 - Gracen Halton - Had good production in the preseason and is expected to be a rotational D-lineman. The consistency will come with repetition, but the 49ers like Halton's footwork, agility, and quick first step.
#94 - Romello Height - Similar to Halton, his usage will likely be selective depending on down and distance. Listed at 240 lbs., Height is undersized, but has the speed and production (from college) to be impactful on the pass rush.
#95 - Alfred Collins - Aside from two forced fumbles and recoveries, Collins's numbers last season were less than subpar. He has the measurables and potential, but his technique needs improvement.
#96 - James Thompson Jr. - Perhaps the most unexpected player to make the roster, Thompson is an undrafted free agent signed in April. Recorded two QB pressures and a tackle for loss in the preseason with limited reps. Can establish production in run defense and athleticism. Hopeful for a rotational spot on the D-line.
#97 - Nick Bosa - Knee tendinitis during camp lingered enough that Bosa did not play in the preseason. And coming off a torn ACL, his future durability is a question mark. When Bosa is right, the speed and power are top-tier from the defensive end position.
#99 - C.J. West - Played in 14 games in his rookie season, but did not start. He's a legitimate run stopper with good size and quickness, but not yet known as a pass rusher.
Mentioned in this article: Tatum Bethune, Kaelon Black, Nick Bosa, Jake Brendel, Connor Colby, Alfred Collins, Jacob Cowing, Enrique Cruz, Ashtyn Davis, Jaden Dugger, Mike Evans, Luke Farrell, Luke Gifford, Renardo Green, Dre Greenlaw, Gracen Halton, Romello Height, Jordan James, Jack Jones, Mac Jones, Kyle Juszczyk, Khalid Kareem, Christian Kirk, George Kittle, Deommodore Lenoir, Vederian Lowe, Christian McCaffrey, Colton McKivitz, Malik Mustapha, Siran Neal, Osa Odighizuwa, Jarrett Patterson, Ricky Pearsall, Ephesians Prysock, Dominick Puni, Brock Purdy, Demarcus Robinson, Kurtis Rourke, Deebo Samuel, Marques Sigle, Upton Stout, De'Zhaun Stribling, James Thompson, Jake Tonges, Corliss Waitman, Garret Wallow, Fred Warner, Jordan Watkins, C.J. West, Keion White, Trent Williams, Carver Willis, Brayden Willis
Comments