Sunday’s only practice squad transactions:
San Francisco 49ers
Signed: TE Brayden Willis
Today’s only practice squad transaction sees the 49ers complete the circle of transactions they started yesterday. Back when San Francisco announced their deadline roster cuts to get down to 53 players, one of the victims was veteran long snapper Jon Weeks, the only long snapper on the roster.
One might assume that an under the table agreement had been made that Weeks — who wouldn’t need to go to the waiver wire as a vested veteran — would sign to the practice squad to help keep a player that would’ve had to go through waivers on the active roster. Sure enough, the next day, linebacker Nick Martin, their third-round pick last year, was placed on injured reserve with the ability to be designated to return after four weeks. Had Martin been placed on IR the day prior, he would’ve been required to remain there for the entire season.
So the 49ers endeavored to swap Willis and Weeks’ respective spots on the active and practice squad rosters. It’s fortunate Willis went unclaimed and can remain a 49er; he had traveled with the team to Australia and likely would’ve had to fly back alone had he been claimed by another team. Instead, he’ll remain in Melbourne, where he stands a chance at getting called up as a standard gameday practice squad elevation if recovering tight end George Kittle isn’t able to play.