The San Francisco 49ers need to have their roster cut down to 53 players by Sunday, August 30, at 3:00 p.m. PT. It’s a big week of practice with one final preseason game to go to determine whether players are good enough to make the roster, have flashed enough to keep on the practice squad, or aren’t worthy of keeping around.
A practice squad has 16 spots, plus an additional spot reserved for an International Player Pathway Program. Rookies or second-year players can hold ten spots. An additional six
can have unlimited accrued NFL experience.
Offense
I think the 49ers end up keeping three quarterbacks, so there’s no need to keep one on the practice squad. Kurtis Rourke will serve as the scout team quarterback. I doubt the team risks losing him on waivers, given how important the position is and that Rourke will be Brock Purdy’s backup after this season.
Running back is a bit trickier. Isaac Guerendo doesn’t make this guessing game any easier. Sincere McCormick sticks on the practice squad, but that could change, depending on Guerendo’s health.
No need to keep a fullback. That’s what tight ends are for. I’m projecting Brayden Willis and Khalil Dinkins to make the practice squad. Willis has lined up at fullback 10 times through three preseason games.
Wide receiver is tricky. Jordan Watkins is not guaranteed to make the roster. Neither is Christian Kirk. As of today, I’m listing Watkins on the practice squad, with Malik Turner and Wesley Grimes. The team is giving Kirk the benefit of the doubt and is unwilling to risk losing him, since he would immediately become an unrestricted free agent.
You’ll need a scout team offensive line to go along with the skill players. Some of the backups can play, but not all of them. Don’t be surprised if this list includes multiple players who aren’t on the roster today. For now, I think it’ll be Enrique Cruz Jr., Drake Nugent, and Connor Colby. Isaac Alarcon sticks as the International player.
Defense
Defense always gets the short end of the stick. Here, the 49ers believe in a pair of young defensive tackles, as well as a veteran pass rusher — who will be elevated until Mykel Williams is activated.
At linebacker, keeping Larry Worth around and continuing to develop him should be part of the plan.
It’s not as easy to pick a name in the secondary. But we’ll roll with Jakob Robinson at nickel and bring Darrell Luter Jr. back once he clears waivers. Lastly, Jalen Stroman sticks at safety.
Here’s the projected practice squad:
- Sincere McCormick
- Brayden Willis
- Khalil Dinkins
- Jordan Watkins
- Malik Turner
- Wesley Grimes
- Enrique Cruz Jr.
- Drake Nugent
- Connor Colby
- Sebastian Valdez
- Bryson Eason
- Ogbo Okoronkwo
- Larry Worth III
- Jakob Robinson
- Darrell Luter Jr.
- Jalen Stroman
- Isaac Alarcon
