The San Francisco 49ers just waived/injured Xavier Thomas, making room for new tight end Khalil Dinkins, who they signed Saturday. But that wasn’t the only roster action going down. With George Kittle also passing his physical and getting activated from the Active/PUP list, the team brought in a trio of pass rushers for tryouts. This isn’t just some standard mid-camp roster churn, folks, it tells you what they are thinking as the preseason winds down.
The Roster Dance Continues In San Fran
It’s always a chess match with these rosters, right? Waiving Xavier Thomas, even with an injury, opens up a spot immediately, and the Niners wasted no time filling it with Khalil Dinkins. What does this tell us? They’re looking for specific pieces, maybe depth at tight end, especially with Kittle having been on the Active/PUP list until today. Good news there, by the way: Kittle passed his physical and is off that list, a relief for any fan. But even with Kittle back, the need for bodies elsewhere is clearly still there, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
Who Are These Pass Rushing Prospects?
The 49ers brought in three interesting names for tryouts, all looking to make an impression. First up, there’s Diwun Black, an edge rusher who logged 352 snaps for Temple in 2025. This dude signed with a CFL team in December 2025, which means he’s been playing, staying sharp. At around 6’4” and 250 pounds, with a 4.68 40-yard dash at Temple’s Pro Day in March 2026, he’s got the measurables.
Then we have Viliami Fehoko Jr., a name that might ring a bell for anyone who followed college ball in the Bay Area. Fehoko Jr. played at San Jose State and was actually a third-round pick by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2023 NFL Draft. This guy is a bit of a battler, measuring in at 6’3 5/8”, 276 pounds, with a 33” arm length. The big question mark is his health. He suffered a knee injury in November 2023 and another undisclosed injury in 2024, keeping him off an NFL snap for the Cowboys. He ended up on Injured Reserve both seasons before the Cowboys waived/injured him in August 2025. Can he show he’s healthy now?
Finally, Ron Stone, another local connection, but for Washington State fans. Stone went to WSU but hails from San Jose. He’s a 6’3”, 246-pound undrafted free agent from the 2024 class who spent some time with the Las Vegas Raiders. Like Fehoko, he hasn’t actually played a regular-season or preseason snap in the NFL, so this is a big opportunity.
What’s The Immediate Need?
Why these tryouts now? It’s all about getting bodies in for that crucial preseason finale. The 49ers might be looking to rest some key players, holding guys like Kion White or Gracen Halton out of action. These tryouts are a quick way to gauge talent and fill out the roster for one last exhibition game before the real grind begins. It shows a team focused on managing their starters’ health while still getting a look at potential depth pieces. The stakes are getting those reps covered and finding any hidden gems that could stick around.
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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