49ers reveal 53-man roster: Who makes cut on Super Bowl-caliber roster?
SANTA CLARA — The 49ers ended last season without any healthy quarterbacks. This season, three made the initial 53-man roster, led by Brock Purdy but not including Trey Lance, who got dealt Friday night to Dallas.
Not making Tuesday’s cut and instead cast onto the season-ending Injured Reserve list were four players, including third-round draft pick Cameron Latu, who sustained a meniscus tear to his knee in Friday’s preseason finale. Also placed on IR: kicker Zane Gonzalez (calf), safety Tayler Hawkins (hand) and cornerback A.J. Parker (hamstring).
Among those kept off IR while recovering from injuries were wide receivers Ray-Ray McCloud (wrist) and Danny Gray (shoulder) and linebacker Oren Burks (knee).
Defensive linemen Kerry Hyder Jr. and Austin Bryant were released, but more so in procedural moves as both are expected to re-sign on Wednesday, according to a team source.
The 49ers figure to bring back plenty others to comprise a 17-man practice squad, including Mexican offensive tackle Alfredo Gutierrez for his third season.
Here is how the initial 53-man roster looks (with player-by-player analysis in 49 characters or less):
QUARTERBACK (3)
Brock Purdy
Ready for encore after eight wins, elbow repair.
Sam Darnold
From Jets to Panthers to Niners’ QB2 bullpen.
Brandon Allen
Trey Lance’s trade to Dallas opened QB3 job.
* * *
RUNNING BACK (5)
Christian McCaffrey
Again capable of 1K/1K-yard rushing/receiving.
Kyle Juszczyk (FB)
So begins his eighth straight Pro Bowl season.
Elijah Mitchell
Talented enough for 49ers to tolerate injuries.
Jordan Mason
Foot sprain in preseason puts Week 1 in question.
Ty Davis-Price
Adds power dimension after redshirting as rookie.
OUT: Jeremy McNichols, Brian Hill, Jack Colletto (FB).
* * *
WIDE RECEIVER (6)
Brandon Aiyuk
Matured into 1K receiver who runs elite routs.
Deebo Samuel
Ready to rebound after self-dubbed ‘awful’ 2022.
Jauan Jennings
“Third-And-Jauan” must score more TDs (1 in ’22).
Ray-Ray McCloud
Will he rush back from wrist surgery for Week 1?
Ronnie Bell
May be this year’s relevant, seventh-round steal.
Danny Gray
He’s quick, he’s hurt, he was a 1-catch rookie.
OUT: Chris Conley, Willie Snead IV, Tay Martin, Isaiah Winstead, Anthony Miller
* * *
TIGHT END (4)
George Kittle
Health is paramount to offense, spirit unmatched.
Ross Dwelley
His sure hands return after late-season benching.
Charlie Woerner
Blocker, special-teams ace; last catch Nov. 2021.
Brayden Willis
Rookie has yards-after-catch skills in 6-4 body.
Injured reserve: Cameron Latu (knee)
Cut: Troy Fumagalli
* * *
OFFENSIVE LINE (9)
Trent Williams (LT)
Amazing All-Pro has team-high $19 million salary.
Aaron Banks (LG)
Says O-line ‘on same page’ thanks to familiarity.
Jake Brendel (C)
Quietly settling in for second year as starter.
Spencer Burford (RG)
Started as rookie, needs to prove bit sturdier.
Colton McKivitz (RT)
Most to prove as he replaces Mike McGlinchey.
Jaylon Moore
Knee injury early in camp didn’t help his growth.
Jon Feliciano
Veteran will be top backup at guard, center.
Nick Zakelj
Growing pains obvious but gets shot to develop.
Matt Pryor
Fifth-year veteran sticks to back up McKivitz.
OUT: Leroy Watson, Ilm Manning, Keith Ismael, Jason Poe, Joey Fisher, Ilm Manning, Corey Luciano. (Alfredo Gutierrez is a practice-squad exemption as an international player.)
* * *
DEFENSIVE LINE (8)
Javon Hargrave
Defected from Eagles to bolster interior rush.
Arik Armstead
Teammates call the 9th-year veteran ‘Blueprint.’
Drake Jackson
Hopes to take big jump after rookie-season fade.
Clelin Ferrell
Ex-Raiders’ first-round bust is 49ers’ DE gain.
Javon Kinlaw
2020 top pick is slated to be free agent in 2024.
Robert Beal Jr.
Fifth-round pick missed most of camp with injury.
Kevin Givens
Played 40 games since coming undrafted in 2019.
Kalia Davis
Time to play after ACL recovery in rookie year.
OUT: Kerry Hyder Jr., Austin Bryant, T.Y. McGill, Marlon Davidson, Alex Barrett, Breeland Speaks, Spencer Waege, La’Darius Hamilton (Nick Bosa does not count toward the roster until he reports and/or signs.)
* * *
LINEBACKERS (6)
Fred Warner
All-Pro. Pro Bowl. Captain. Reality-TV show next.
Dre Greenlaw
Hopefully hamstring issue won’t linger.
Oren Burks
Strong-side starter once knee allows it.
Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles
Versatile veteran like Azeez Al-Shaair was.
Jalen Graham
Draft pick No. 255 could make sudden impact.
Dee Winters
Sixth-round pick will learn from elite corps.
OUT: Marcelino McCrary-Ball, Curtis Robinson, Kyahva Tezino
CORNERBACKS (5)
Charvarius Ward
Interceptions will help his All-Pro intentions.
Deommodore Lenoir
Established starter may have side job at nickel.
Isaiah Oliver
Rallied after camp gave 49ers buyer’s remorse.
Sam Womack
Feisty player who makes impact on special teams.
Ambry Thomas
Late 2021 starter climbing out of 2022 doghouse.
Cut: D’Shawn Jamison, Nate Brooks, Tre Swilling
Injured reserve: A.J. Parker (hamstring)
Physically-unable-to-perform list: Darrell Luter Jr. (knee)
SAFETIES (4)
Talanoa Hufanga
All-Pro is coping with cyst behind his knee.
Tashaun Gipson Sr.
Vet sneaked into starting lineup a year ago.
J’Ayir Brown
This year’s top pick (third round) ready to hit.
George Odum
Special-teams ace getting over shoulder injury.
INJURED RESERVE: Tayler Hawkins (hand)
CUT: Myles Hartsfield, Qwuantrezz Knight
SPECIALISTS (3)
Jake Moody (K)
Quadriceps injury puts Week 1 debut in doubt.
Mitch Wishnowsky (P)
Better punter, holder than emergency kicker.
Taybor Pepper (LS)
Pro Bowl push could come in Year 4 with Niners.
Injured Reserve: Zane Gonzalez (calf)