The San Francisco 49ers are already getting down to business, slashing their huge 90-man roster all the way down to the final 53. Guys who don’t crack that main roster are now fighting for a spot on the practice squad, and believe me, it’s a bigger deal than you might think, especially with their Week 1 showdown just around the corner.
The Aussie Opener and Practice Squad Stakes
Get this: the Niners are heading to Melbourne, Australia for their Week 1 opener against the Los Angeles Rams. Yeah, you heard that right, Australia. And to make things even crazier, FanDuel Sportsbook has them sitting as 3.5-point underdogs. The Rams are technically the home team, but with no actual home field advantage in Melbourne, that playing field is getting severely leveled. This whole international setup just adds another layer of complexity. That’s where the practice squad crew steps up big time. These players are traveling with the team, grinding through practice, doing almost everything an active player does to get ready for that big game. They just don’t suit up on game day. But their work? It’s absolutely crucial for simulating opponents, running drills, and making sure the main roster is sharp for a wild international game like this. Their contributions off the field are totally undervalued, but essential.
Who Makes the Cut? Inside the 17-Man Grind
An NFL practice squad is a beast all its own, packing 17 players. The rules are pretty specific: one spot is locked for the NFL International Pathway Program, six can be seasoned veterans no matter their experience, and the final 10 gotta be rookies or second-year guys. Right now, all 17 spots are wide open, which gives the 49ers a ton of flexibility to play with, whether they’re looking for hidden gems or ready-to-go depth. They get to protect four of those players, which is a smart move to stop other teams from poaching their talent right out from under them. Plus, they can promote two players to the active roster for one week, and then those guys can return to the squad. If they play a second consecutive week, though, the team has to pony up a one-year deal. It’s a careful dance, trying to balance developing young talent who might not sniff the field for a year with having absolute backups ready to roll when injuries inevitably hit. We already know Isaac Alarcon, the International Player Pathway exemption, was released and he’ll be on that squad, which means they can still fill all 17 spots. And get this: Matt Maiocco hinted that running back Khalil Herbert, wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge, and edge rusher Ogbo Okoronkwo are all set to fly to Australia on Wednesday. We don’t know yet if those are “handshake deals” for the practice squad or if they made the initial 53-man roster, but you know this story is just getting started.
What’s Next for the Scramble
The roster cuts are flying, and the practice squad is forming up fast. With a huge Week 1 game against the Rams in Australia looming, every single decision on who makes that 17-man squad is massive. You better believe we’ll be watching every rumor and report about who fills those spots and what it means for that wild opener across the globe.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Niners Nation.
Leave a Reply