According to the Athletic’s Matt Barrows and Vic Tafur, alongside NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo, the San Francisco 49ers shaped their initial 53-man roster and quickly filled out a 13-player practice squad ahead of their season opener against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia. General manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan processed weekend cuts to navigate the league deadline, subsequently welcoming back veteran interior depth and young developmental pieces while losing several waiver-wire targets to rival clubs.
Veteran Additions and Practice Squad Signings
San Francisco added veteran offensive lineman Foster Sarell to the practice squad, according to a report by The Athletic’s Matt Barrows. Sarell, 28, entered the league in 2021 as an undrafted free agent with the Baltimore Ravens and brings four career starts across 41 games with the Los Angeles Chargers. As noted in coverage from 49ersWebZone, Sarell played collegiately at Stanford and brings experience at both tackle and guard.
The franchise also brought back running back Sincere McCormick, per The Athletic’s Vic Tafur. McCormick spent part of last season on the San Francisco practice squad and participated in the entire offseason program with the club. NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo reported that undrafted rookie wide receiver Will Pauling is re-joining the team after clearing waivers, providing a toughness element that stood out early in training camp.
Pro Tip: NFL practice squads allow up to 17 eligible players when including an international pathway exemption, giving front offices vital developmental depth heading into the regular season.
Defensive Reinforcements and Roster Retention
Defensive depth took shape with several returns and new additions. Matt Barrows reported that linebacker Jalen Graham and defensive tackle Sebastian Valdez are returning to San Francisco via the practice squad. The initial batch of practice squad signings also featured defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo, wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge, rookie wide receiver Wesley Grimes, and rookie tight end Khalil Dinkins, according to Barrows.
International pathway player Isaac Alarcon joins the group as an exemption, meaning he does not count toward the team’s standard 16-player practice squad limit. Rounding out the initial 13 practice squad announcements are offensive lineman Drake Nugent, cornerback Jakob Robinson, safety Jalen Stroman, and long snapper Jon Weeks.
Waiver Losses to Rival NFC Teams
Not every waived player cleared waivers for a potential return to San Francisco. Standout undrafted free agent Bryson Eason was claimed by the Kansas City Chiefs following a strong training camp performance, ruling out a practice squad return with the 49ers. Similarly, cornerback Darrell Luter Jr. was claimed off waivers by the Las Vegas Raiders from the No. 1 waiver position, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Did You Know? Rookies and players with fewer than three accrued NFL seasons receive a standard rate of $13,750 per week on the practice squad, while veterans with more than three accrued seasons earn between $18,350 and $22,850 weekly under the collective bargaining agreement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to join the NFL practice squad?
Per the Collective Bargaining Agreement, eligible players include those without an accrued NFL season, free agents active for fewer than nine regular-season games during their lone accrued season, up to 10 players with no more than two accrued seasons, and a maximum of six players with any number of accrued seasons.
How many players can be on an NFL practice squad?
Teams are permitted up to 16 standard practice squad players, with an additional spot available for an international pathway exemption player, bringing the total maximum to 17.
When does the 49ers’ regular season begin?
San Francisco opens its regular season against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia.
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