San Francisco 49ers announce initial 52-player roster ahead of season
The 49ers revealed a 52-man roster, leaving a spot open for a pending trade, while retaining all draft picks and an undrafted rookie, and cutting veteran special-teams players.
San Francisco announced an initial roster of 52 players, one short of the league-mandated 53, pending the completion of a trade for veteran offensive lineman Jarrett Patterson. The team kept three quarterbacks, including seventh-round rookie Kurtis Rourke, who recovered from ACL surgery but suffered broken ribs in preseason and will serve as the emergency third quarterback.
Both veteran long snapper Jon Weeks and punter Corliss Waitman were released, making them unrestricted free agents, though the organization expects to re-sign them later. Every member of the 2026 draft class earned a spot, along with undrafted defensive tackle James Thompson Jr. Cornerback Ephesians Prysock, who is nursing a shoulder injury, was not placed on injured reserve, and offensive lineman Enrique Cruz Jr. is projected to be inactive for much of the season.
The roster does not clarify the starting left guard position. Rookie Carver Willis appears to be the frontrunner after veteran Robert Jones was cut, while the newly acquired Jarrett Patterson could also compete for the role. Seven linebackers remain on the list, despite recent injuries to Luke Gifford and Garret Wallow, who may later be placed on injured reserve.
Four players were placed on injured reserve with return designations—wide receiver Christian Kirk and offensive lineman Austen Pleasants—allowing them to return after Week 4. Running back Isaac Guerendo and defensive end Mykel Williams were placed on the reserve/PUP list and must miss at least four weeks. Offensive linemen Brett Toth and Nick Zakelj were placed on IR without return designations, ending their seasons.
The team indicated that additional roster moves are expected before the season opener in Australia.