The San Francisco 49ers have made some intriguing moves in trimming their roster to 53 players, including a trade and several surprising cuts. The team has kept a few players who were initially thought to be on the chopping block, such as punter Corliss Waitman and long snapper Jon Weeks, who will return on Monday. The 49ers have also kept running back Sincere McCormick and Khalil Herbert, despite their cuts, indicating a well-stocked running back room with Christian McCaffrey, Kaelon Black, Jordan James, and Kyle Juszczyk. The team's strategy seems to be reducing McCaffrey's workload by adding Deebo Samuel to the mix.
One of the most notable decisions was keeping Kurtis Rourke as the emergency No. 3 quarterback despite his three broken ribs. This suggests that Rourke has recovered enough to serve in this role and that the team's plan to have him compete for the No. 2 role next year remains intact, with Mac Jones likely to leave as a free agent. The 49ers have also kept a fourth tight end, Brayden Willis, as a hedge against George Kittle's Week 1 availability. Kittle has a chance to play but will not rush his return if he's not ready.
The offensive line has seen some changes, with the addition of Jarrett Patterson, who was traded for a seventh-round pick from the Houston Texans. Patterson has experience at both guard and center, providing much-needed depth for the 49ers. The team has also put Austen Pleasants on injured reserve with a designation to return, indicating that they believe Vederian Lowe will recover from his high-ankle sprain in time to serve as the backup tackle in Week 1. If not, the rookie Enrique Cruz Jr. will step in.
On defense, the 49ers have kept a solid group of players, including Nick Bosa, who is expected to return to practice with his tendinitis in his surgically repaired knee feeling better. The team has also kept a deep unit of linebackers, with Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw, and Jaden Dugger, although at least one of them could still be headed for a stint on IR. The cornerbacks unit has seen some changes, with the addition of Nate Hobbs, who has not practiced since mid-August due to a groin injury.
The special teams unit has seen some cuts, with the release of punter Corliss Waitman and long snapper Jon Weeks. However, the team has kept kicker Eddy Piñeiro, who hit six field goals on Thursday night. The 49ers have also kept a few players who stood out during the preseason, such as defensive tackle James Thompson Jr. and linebacker Deion Jones, who was cut but could return to the practice squad.
