49ers face roster deadline as they prepare for Australia season opener
The San Francisco 49ers must cut their 90-man roster to 53 players by Aug. 30, while managing injuries and travel plans for a Week 1 game in Australia.
San Francisco is working to reduce its 90-player offseason roster to the league-mandated 53-man limit before the Aug. 30 deadline. The team’s schedule adds pressure because the regular-season opener against the Los Angeles Rams will be played in Melbourne, Australia, requiring the squad to depart on Sept. 2.
The 49ers released veteran running back Patrick Taylor on Friday after reaching an injury settlement, removing him from the 90-man roster but not affecting the 53-man count. He was replaced on the roster by running back Khalil Herbert.
In the final preseason game, tight end Brayden Willis suffered a concussion and rookie cornerback Ephesians Prysock incurred a shoulder injury that could place him on injured reserve with a return designation. Both running back Isaac Guerendo and defensive end Mykel Williams remain on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list and must be activated before cuts or will miss at least four weeks of the season.
The deadline is set for Sunday, Aug. 30, at 3:00 p.m. Pacific time, after which the 49ers will no longer practice until the cut deadline passes. The team’s preseason record stands at 2-1, with wins over the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders and a loss to the Tennessee Titans.