49ers difficult roster decisions include at wide receiver, running back
Setting an NFL roster is never as simple as identifying the best 53 players, and the 49ers face some particularly complicated roster gymnastics ahead of Sunday’s cutdown deadline.With multiple players injured and others eligible for the Physically Unable to Perform list, San Francisco must balance its immediate needs with preserving players it expects to help later as it prepares to open the season against the Rams in Australia.Even after the initial decisions are made, the roster will remain a living, breathing document.
It figures to change within the following couple of days as the 49ers monitor the waiver wire, consider outside additions and move injured players onto reserve lists.More adjustments will inevitably follow during the season as players recover, new injuries occur and positional needs become clearer.The opening 53-man roster will not include several players the 49ers expect — or at least hope — to get back during the season.
Running back Isaac Guerendo and defensive lineman Mykel Williams are projected to begin the year on the PUP list.Neither would count against the initial 53, and both would be eligible to return after missing the first four games.Wide receiver Christian Kirk and cornerback Ephesians Prysock are projected to be placed on injured reserve with designations to return.
NFL rules permit teams to use that designation on a maximum of two players during the final roster reduction, allowing San Francisco to preserve both without first carrying them on the 53.Like the players on PUP, Kirk and Prysock would be eligible to return after four games, although their actual timelines would depend on their recoveries.Offensive lineman Brett Toth is also projected to begin the season on injured reserve, but without a return designation.
With Guerendo and Williams on PUP, Kirk and Prysock designated for return from IR and Toth remaining on IR, none of the five would count against the opening roster.That leaves the 49ers with 53 active playe...