San Francisco 49ers: Breaking Down Final Wave of Roster Cuts
The San Francisco 49ers — and all other NFL teams — are required to have their regular-season roster trimmed to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, September 3. Niner Noise breaks down each one of the team’s moves.
The San Francisco 49ers will have their 53-man roster for Week 1 of the regular season by the end of Saturday.
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NFL teams are required to cut rosters down to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on September 3.
San Francisco has a number of tough decisions to make. Armed with a relatively young roster, the Niners are going to focus on putting the best available options on the field as they part ways with talent not a part of the team’s immediate future.
Some of these younger players may wind up on the team’s practice squad, if they’re eligible. Others will be vying for openings elsewhere.
The Niners’ final preseason game provided a glimpse into who might be cut. Typically, players who see a lot of field time to close out the preseason wind up being released.
The move is such so that these guys get a chance to land a job with other teams.
Niner Noise provides a brief breakdown for each player cut as the team gears up for the regular season.
Stay tuned with us as we continuously update this tracker until the deadline.
WR Devon Cajuste
The 49ers cut rookie UDFA Devon Cajuste. The 6-foot-4, 227-pound wideout caught just one pass for 40 yards over four preseason games.
Cajuste has tremendous hands, so it’s possible the Niners are trying to stash the former Stanford standout on the practice squad.
WR Ryan Whalen
San Francisco also parted ways with former 2011 sixth-round draft pick Ryan Whalen, who was initially drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals.
Whalen was more of a camp body this preseason in order to reinforce the Niners’ receiving corps leading up to the regular season.
DL B.J. McBryde
The Niners released second-year defensive lineman B.J. McBryde, per Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area. McBryde was a long shot to make the 53-man roster, given the depth San Francisco had along its defensive line.
LB Corey Lemonier
The 49ers also released former 2013 third-round draft pick Corey Lemonier. The fourth-year linebacker had been a major disappointment since joining the pro ranks and had registered just one sack during his Niners tenure.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported the roster move.
Up-and-coming pass-rusher Marcus Rush’s strong preseason effort likely forced San Francisco to make this move. Even with the team’s best pass-rusher, linebacker Aaron Lynch, starting the season on the reserve/suspended list, Rush looks like a player not worthy of a cut.
NT Garrison Smith
The Niners are also parting ways with nose tackle Garrison Smith, per his agent.
Smith finished third for the 49ers this season in tackles. Although it’s tough to see San Francisco keeping Smith with the depth the team already has at this position.
Quinton Dial can play the nose, and Mike Purcell figures to back him up. At least the transaction allows Smith the chance to land a more prominent job elsewhere.
All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of ESPN.com, Pro-Football-Reference.com and Sports-Reference.com unless otherwise indicated.
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