The 49ers received some encouraging news before they had to reduce the 53-player limit for the regular season.
Safety Talanoa Hufanga, who coach Kyle Shanahan said could potentially begin the 2024 NFL season on the bench or physically unable to play, has passed his medical exam.
While it is unknown if Hufanga will be available for the 49ers' Week 1 game against the New York Jets, it indicates that the team expects him on the field shortly.
Anyone who begins the season on the reserve bench/PUP is ineligible to play for the first four games of the regular season.
It was also a good day for the 2024 NFL draft picks; only offensive lineman Jarrett Kingston had to endure the news that he did not get a spot on the original 53-man roster.
Here's a breakdown of the 49ers' initial roster decisions:
Quarterbacks (3)
Brock Purdy
Brandon Allen
Joshua Dobbs
Analysis: The only question – and it remains unanswered – is whether the 49ers will open the season with Brandon Allen or Joshua Dobbs as the second quarterback behind Brock Purdy.
The 49ers liked a lot of what they saw from undrafted rookie Tanner Mordecai, but it was no secret that he faced an uphill battle to earn a spot in the veteran league.
Running back (5)
Christian McCaffrey
Kyle Juszczyk
Jordan Mason
Isaac Guerendo
Patrick Taylor Jr.
Analysis: That position was never really up for debate, especially after Isaac Guerendo returned to health and showed why the 49ers liked him so much, showing off his speed on a 93-yard kickoff return in the final preseason game.
McCaffrey missed most of training camp with a calf strain, but should be ready to play in Week 1 against the Jets. Mason will be the backup and Elijah Mitchell will go on the injured list. He was not scheduled to return.
Cody Schrader, an undrafted rookie from Missouri, has a good chance of remaining on the practice squad.
Wide receiver (7)
Samuel Deebo
Brandon Aiyuk
Juan Jennings
Ricky Pearsall
Jakob Cowing
Chris Conley
Ronnie Bell
Analysis: Yes, Aiyuk has a spot on the 53-man roster because he reported on time and has always been on the active roster. He just hasn't practiced – and probably won't until his contract issue is resolved.
Cowing appears to be suited to the punt return duties. Conley earned a spot with an excellent training camp. His ability on special teams adds value to the position.
The experienced Trent Taylor could remain in the training squad as a backup for the return match.
The 49ers selected speedy Danny Gray in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, but he never made an impact. He was one of the last draft picks. As a rookie, he appeared in 13 games and caught just one pass for 10 yards. He spent last season on the injured list with a shoulder injury.
Penalty area (2)
George Kittle
Jake Tonges
Analysis: The 49ers will undoubtedly look to sign someone at this spot. Veteran Logan Thomas didn't make the cut, but he's definitely an option to return to the active roster or be moved to the practice squad.
Jake Tonges, who was on the practice squad last season, was added to the team after selecting 2023 draft picks Cameron Latu and Brayden Willis. Tonges played his entire four-year college career at Cal.
Latu was selected in the third round and Willis played 10 games, including three in the playoffs. Both are eligible for the practice squad if unclaimed on waivers.
Offensive Line (8)
Aaron Banks
Jake Brendel
Colton McKivitz
Dominick Puni
Jaylon Moore
Spencer Burford
Nick Zakelj
Jon Feliciano
Analysis: One of the players who made it this far may not be around much longer. Trent Williams does not count against the roster limit because he remains on the reserve/non-reporting list. When he returns, the 49ers will have to create a roster spot.
Feliciano, who is nominated for the injured reserve due to a knee injury, is in the squad and should be available at the start of the season.
Kingston, a sixth-round pick out of USC, was the only 2024 draft pick not to make the original 53-man roster. He remains a solid option to stay on the practice squad.
Defensive line (9)
Nick Bosa
Javon Hargrave
Leonard Floyd
Malik Collins
Yetur Gross-Matos
Jordan Elliott
Kevin Givens
Robert Beal Jr.
Sam Okuayinonu
Analysis: It is good news for the 49ers that neither Floyd nor Gross-Matos will begin the season on the injured list after suffering knee injuries in the last preseason game.
Okuayinonu remained under the radar during training camp, but his versatility secured him a spot on the initial 53-man roster.
Defensive tackle Kalia Davis (knee) begins the season on the injured list and is expected to return mid-season.
Linebackers (6)
Fred Warner
De’Vondre Campbell
Dee Winters
Curtis Robinson
Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles
Tatum Bethune
Analysis: Hats off to Robinson, who played at such a high level this summer that he earned his way onto this team after spending at least parts of the last three years on the practice squad.
The odds may have been against Bethune, but he led the team in tackles in the preseason and showed he has what it takes to contribute on special teams in Week 1.
Dre Greenlaw (Achilles tendon) will begin the season on the reserve bench or is physically unable to perform and is expected back in the middle of the season.
Jalen Graham, a seventh-round pick last year, didn't make the cut but will likely end up on the practice squad.
Corner (6)
Charvarius District
Deomodore Lenoir
Renardo Green
Isaac Yiadom
Darrell Luter Jr.
Ambry Thomas
Analysis: The 49ers have good depth at cornerback, so they had to make some difficult decisions regarding Sam Womack and Rock Ya-Sin.
Womack, a fifth-round pick in 2022, appeared in 26 games over the past two seasons, including the postseason. He didn't make the cut despite having the flexibility to play nickelback as well. Luter showed more potential with his play on the wing and has come on strong in recent weeks.
Thomas remained in the 53-man squad despite breaking his forearm in the first warm-up game.
Security (4)
Ji'Ayir Braun
Talanoa Hufanga
George Odum
Malik Mustapha
Analysis: The most important thing for the 49ers is adding Hufanga to this list, which means they expect him to be back on the field very early in the season – if not for the game against Aaron Rodgers and the Jets.
If Hufanga is unavailable to start the season, the 49ers could look to bring back experienced Tracy Walker III for a role on the practice squad.
Special teams (3)
Jake Moody
Mitch Wishnowsky
Taylor Pepper
Analysis: The 49ers will have the same three specialists back for a second season. Wishnowsky was declared fit for the season after missing much of training camp with knee irritation. The 49ers brought in the experienced Pressley Harvin, whom they released on Monday.
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