The San Francisco 49ers are starting to make some moves, trimming the 90-man roster to 53. Those that don’t make the 53 have a chance of being placed on the practice squad.
The practice squad is important: players on it can travel with the team and do much of the work that any other active player does. They just don’t suit up on game day. That means they can help the 49ers prepare for their Week 1 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.
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The 49ers sit as 3.5-point underdogs over at FanDuel Sportsbook. The game is in Melbourne, Australia, with the Rams as the designated home team. Without the Rams’ field to help (which usually gets invaded by 49ers fans), the playing field is severely leveled.
An NFL practice squad consists of 17 players. One of which is part of the NFL International Pathway Program, six can be veterans with no cap on experience, and the final 10 must be rookies or second-year players. As of this writing, the full 17 spots are available, so the 49ers have lots of flexibility.
Of that practice squad, the 49ers get to designate four protected players, which means they can’t be placed on another team’s active roster (basically to stop poaching). Two players can be promoted to the active roster for one week and return to the squad. If they play an additional consecutive week, then the 49ers have to offer the player a one-year deal.
In other words, the 49ers want both young talent they can develop over the season and players who can be absolute backups when injuries occur. Some of these players will be protected and won’t even sniff the field for a year while they develop. Others are chances the 49ers take to hold onto unless they sign to another team’s active roster.
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Isaac Alarcon will be the International Player Pathway exemption following his release, per Matt Maiocco. That allows the 49ers to have 17 on their practice squad.
Maiocco also hinted that running back Khalil Herbert, wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge, and edge rusher Ogbo Okoronkwo would be on the plane for Australia on Wednesday. Whether those are “handshake deals” after being released, or they make the initial 53-man roster remains to be seen.
We’ll update this thread in the meantime with any rumors or reports of who the 49ers plan to use to fill out the 17 spots on the squad.
Kyle’s update, 9:42 a.m. PT: The Ravens released Adisa Isaac, a former third-round pick from the 2024 NFL Draft.
Isaac has a long list of injuries in his short career. He only played four games as a rookie due to a hamstring injury that lingered into the season after sustaining it during training camp. Last August, Isaac dislocated his elbow in the preseason. That elbow injury cost Isaac his 2025 season after he underwent surgery in November.
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Isaac entered the NFL as a raw, toolsy pass rusher. He has elite traits. While he’s only listed at around 247 pounds, Isaac had a broad jump in the 83rd percentile, while his height, arm length, 40, and vertical jump were all in the 60th percentile.
The 49ers could buy low on a player like Isaac and hopefully develop him into a role player. Isaac can also contribute on special teams. He’d be a better fit in Raheem Morris’s scheme, as Isaac could play from a two-point stance.
The cupboard is bare at the position after Nick Bosa, Mykel Williams, Sam O, and Romello Height. You’re unlikely to have Williams healthy to begin the season. Isaac gives you a power rusher who can drop in coverage with traits to build on. Why not roll the dice on a former third-rounder to see if he can give you more than what Ogbo Okoronkwo can?
Kyle’s update, 10:59 a.m. PT: A couple of other former draft picks at edge rusher have been waived. Jose Ramirez is undersized, listed at 6’1 7/8″ and 242 pounds. He had elite shuttle times with a 3-cone in the 88th percentile and a 20-yard shuttle in the 78th percentile. If the 49ers are looking to add speed on the roster or practice squad, Ramirez is worth a look.
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Trice tore his ACL in the first preseason game of his rookie year. He hurt the same knee last preseason. Injuries are brutal. Some had high hopes for Trice. It’s unlikely even Raheem Morris, somebody familiar with Trice, would roll the dice on him after multiple injuries.
Kyle’s update, 11:16 a.m. PT: The 49ers released Quinton Bell. That’s the first of many moves to come today.
Kyle’s update, 12:37 p.m. PT: The 49ers waived tight end Khalil Dinkins. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the team plans to bring him back to the practice squad if he clears waivers. Dinkins is an intriguing project at tight end. He was an impressive blocker in the preseason finale.
Pat’s Update 1:33 p.m PT: The 49ers have waived LB Jalen Graham. That’s a possible practice squad candidate. As Matt Barrows points out, Jalen’s tall height + background at safety could be something the 49ers could use.
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Pat’s Update 1:42 p.m. PT: The 49ers have waived WR Will Paulin. That’s another practice squad candidate.
Pat’s update 1:50 p.m. PT: Per Matt Maiocco, the 49ers have waived tight end Hayden Rucci. Things are going a bit quicker now as the deadline approaches.
Pat’s update 1:51 p.m. PT: The 49ers have waived defensive back Patrick McMorris. That’s another practice squad candidate.
Kyle’s update, 2:15 p.m. PT: Jalen Stroman has been waived, per Maiocco. The 49ers intend to bring him back to the practice squad.
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