The San Francisco 49ers are chopping down their roster from 90 guys to the final 53-man crew, which means a ton of players are fighting for a spot on the practice squad. This isn’t just some side gig either; these guys can travel with the team, do pretty much all the active player work, they just don’t suit up on game day. And get this: the Niners are already sitting as 3.5-point underdogs over at FanDuel Sportsbook for their Week 1 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia.
The Practice Squad: More Than Just Backups
The practice squad is huge for these teams, especially early in the season. Think about it: they need players who can simulate the opposition in practice and be ready to step up if injuries hit. An NFL practice squad holds 17 players, right? One of those spots is for an NFL International Pathway Program exemption, six can be veterans with unlimited experience, and the remaining ten have to be rookies or second-year players. Right now, all 17 spots are up for grabs for the 49ers, which gives them a ton of flexibility. They can also designate four of those players as “protected” to keep other teams from poaching them, which is a smart move if you’re trying to develop young talent. Plus, they can promote two players to the active roster for one week and then send them back to the squad. If they play another consecutive week, though, the Niners gotta offer them a one-year deal. It’s all about balancing long-term development with immediate backup needs.
Who’s Making the Trip Down Under?
Word on the street, specifically from Matt Maiocco, is that Isaac Alarcon is gonna fill that International Player Pathway exemption slot after his release, making sure the Niners still get their full 17 spots. Maiocco also hinted that running back Khalil Herbert, wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge, and edge rusher Ogbo Okoronkwo are all expected to be on that plane heading to Australia this Wednesday. Whether those are “handshake deals” after being cut or if they’re making the initial 53-man roster is still up in the air, but it tells you who they’re counting on. And in a wild twist, the Ravens just released Adisa Isaac, a former third-round pick from the 2024 NFL Draft, who’s been battling injuries. He’s expected to draw a lot of interest from teams needing a young pass rusher. Could the Niners be eyeing him for their squad, too?
This Week 1 game is gonna be a weird one in Melbourne. The Rams are the designated home team, but without their actual field, that usual advantage of 49ers fans taking over the stadium is gone. The playing field is severely leveled, literally. Getting these practice squad spots absolutely perfect could be the key to starting their season right.
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