Niners Nation
The San Francisco 49ers have announced their 13-person practice squad:
The 49ers practice squad:
CB Eli Apple
WR Junior Bergen
DL William Bradley-King
S Derrick Canteen
WR Robbie Chosen
DL Trevis Gipson
LB Jalen Graham
OL Drake Nugent
LB Curtis Robinson
WR Malik Turner
DL Sebastian Valdez
TE Brayden Willis
OL Nick Zakelj
The team officially announced that they claimed defensive tackle Jordan Jefferson. To make room for Jefferson, defensive tackle Evan Anderson was waived. Anderson appeared in 12 games last year, but he was an undrafted free agent and played in a different scheme. Jefferson is a big, run-stopping nose tackle who is as strong as an Ox. I think with the right coaching, Jefferson has the kind of upside that could help the Niners against the run.
As is the case with the 49ers’ 53-man roster, it’s unlikely that this is the “final” version of the practice squad. It wouldn’t be surprising to see a couple of new names listed by the end of the week.
There are three more spots available on the practice squad, as the team can have up to 16 members. Technically, you can have 17, but that player must be a part of the NFL’s International Pathway Program. Of the 16, 10 must be rookies or second-year players. So, Anderson could be re-signed to the practice squad if they want another defensive lineman.
No Russell Gage, Dallis Flowers, Terique Owens, Sincere McCormick (yet), or quarterbacks. I’d make Mac Jones the scout team quarterback. Tanner Mordecai or Carter Bradley are not worthy of even a practice squad spot.
The team seemed high on Flowers, so his absence is somewhat shocking. He did not have a strong preseason, though. With so many younger wide receivers available, and knowing the rules from above, the 49ers can be patient when it comes to adding another wideout. If John Lynch really wants to embrace the youth movement, there are players out there who bring more to the table than Gage.
