Former Auburn offensive tackle Kilian Zierer is on his third NFL roster of the month after joining the San Francisco 49ers practice squad on Friday.
Zierer started training camp with the Atlanta Falcons but did not make it to the first preseason game. The Falcons waived Zierer on Aug. 2, but the Cleveland Browns claimed the tackle.
The Browns waived Zierer on Tuesday when they reduced their preseason roster to the regular-season limit of 53 active players. Zierer played 59 offensive and 11 special-teams snaps in Cleveland’s three preseason games.
San Francisco did not have to release a player to sign Zierer after he went unclaimed on waivers. As a native of Munich, Germany, he qualifies for the NFL’s international-development program. NFL teams are limited to 16 practice-squad players, but each can carry a 17th if he qualifies for the international-development program.
A JUCO transfer, Zierer served as Auburn’s left tackle in the 2022 season.
Zierer entered the NFL with the Houston Texans as an undrafted rookie in 2023, but an ankle injury caused him to spend the entire season on injured reserve.
Zierer spent last season on the Texans’ practice squad. He signed with Atlanta on Feb. 12.
Each NFL team can have a practice squad of 16 players. Members of the practice squad do everything the players on the active roster do except play in games. But two practice-squad members can be elevated to active status for each game, although no player can be elevated from the practice squad more than three times in a season.
FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S COVERAGE OF THE NFL, GO TO OURNFL PAGE
Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at@AMarkG1.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.