The San Francisco 49ers are making big moves to get their roster down to the final 53, a critical step before Week 1. This isn’t just about the guys who suit up; the practice squad is a huge piece of the puzzle, letting players travel and help prep for games even if they aren’t active on Sundays. And let’s be real, with the season opener coming up fast, every decision matters.
Roster Crunch Before The Australian Showdown
The Niners are trimming their squad from 90 to 53, and a lot of the guys who don’t make that initial cut are going to find themselves battling for one of the 17 practice squad spots. These aren’t just benchwarmers, either. The practice squad allows one player from the NFL International Pathway Program, six seasoned vets with unlimited experience, and ten rookies or second-year players. It’s all about developing young talent while also having reliable backups ready to go if injuries hit. They even get to designate four players as “protected” to keep other teams from poaching them, which is a smart move for holding onto their guys. Two players can even get promoted to the active roster for a week, and if they play a second consecutive week, the team has to offer them a one-year deal. It shows just how vital every single spot is.
The Niners have their Week 1 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia. Interestingly, the Rams are the designated home team, but without their usual field, it really levels the playing field. FanDuel Sportsbook has the 49ers as 3.5-point underdogs for that one, so they need every advantage they can get, including a strong practice squad that can mimic the Rams’ schemes. Isaac Alarcon is already slotted for the International Player Pathway exemption after his release, which clears up a spot. And rumors are flying that running back Khalil Herbert, wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge, and edge rusher Ogbo Okoronkwo are all expected to be on that plane to Australia, whether it’s through a “handshake deal” for the practice squad or making the 53-man roster.
A Former Ravens Draft Pick Hits The Wire
In other news swirling around the league, the Ravens just released Adisa Isaac, a former third-round pick from the 2024 NFL Draft. This dude is a pass rusher with a lot of potential, but he’s been hampered by injuries pretty much his entire short career. Rapoport hinted that Isaac is expected to draw interest from teams looking for some young talent on the edge. It’s a tough break for Isaac, but it also means there’s a potentially valuable player now floating around for teams to snatch up.
The 49ers still have some serious work to do filling out those 17 practice squad spots and finalizing their 53-man roster before they head down to Melbourne. That Week 1 game against the Rams is coming up fast, and every single player, whether active or on the practice squad, plays a role in getting ready for it. It’s going to be wild to see who makes the cut and how these teams adjust to the international opener.
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.
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