49ers 2020 Cut Tracker: Live updates for the 53-man roster

The San Francisco 49ers will have to cut their roster down to 53 players by the end of today.

The San Francisco 49ers are now just over a week away from the start of their 2020 regular season. In eight days’ time, the 49ers will return to the field for the first time since their crushing Super Bowl LIV loss to take on the much-improved Arizona Cardinals.

But before we get to that point, they must clean up the roster a little bit.

As is the case with every year, teams are required to trim their rosters from the offseason roster size (this year it was 90 and then 80) to the standard 53-player roster limit — a phenomenon known as roster cutdown day.

That day just so happens to be today, September 5th, and the deadline for moves will be 1 p.m. PT. By that time, all 32 NFL teams will be required to have no more than 53 players on their roster.

Now, it’s important to note that the initial 53-man roster likely isn’t going to be the one the team rolls with into Week 1. Waiver claims are possible and it’s likely we see a player or two land on the injured reserve after cut day is over.

Moreover, the expanded 16-player practice squad means that many of the players cut today will eventually find their way back to the organization. And given the new practice squad rules, we could also see plenty of these players suit up at points this season.

Nonetheless, the cuts have already begun so let’s take a look at any roster moves the 49ers have made thus far.

*Make sure to check back as this list will be updated throughout the day*

49ers 2020 roster cut tracker

1. CB Jamar Taylor

Taylor was vying for a backup cornerback spot, but the return of K’Waun Williams from injury sealed his fate.

2. OL Dakoda Shepley

A former CFL standout, Shepley signed with the 49ers a week ago to provide extra interior depth. His versatility should earn him a spot on the practice squad, per Matt Maiocco.

3. FB Josh Hokit

Hokit was never going to beat out Kyle Juszczyk, but the 49ers will likely keep him around on the practice squad after a strong showing in training camp.

4. WR Jauan Jennings

With all the wide receiver injuries, many though Jennings could make the 53-man roster. Instead, the 49ers will likely try and stash the seventh-round pick on the practice squad.

5. DE Ronald Blair –> PUP List

Blair will start the year on the PUP list as he continues to rehab his ACL injury. The former fifth-round pick will be eligible to return to practice after six weeks.

6. LB/S Evan Weaver

Weaver was signed last month as a hybrid linebacker/safety. The undrafted rookie out of Syracuse could make for an interesting practice squad candidate if he clears waivers.

7. RB JaMycal Hasty

Hasty was one of the stars of training camp and the 49ers will surely love to keep him around on the practice squad. Without a preseason to showcase his skills, that seems very likely.

8. WR Shawn Poindexter

Poindexter returned from a knee injury he suffered last summer and had a strong camp. The 49ers will reportedly not per Matt Maiocco be adding him to the practice squad, but they will keep in touch as the season goes on.

9. LB Joe Walker

Walker was competing for one of the backup linebacker spots. This move likely means that Mark Nzeocha will make the team.

10. DE Dion Jordan

The 49ers signed Jordan last month searching for additional defensive line depth but the former top-three draft pick didn’t impress in camp.

11. WR Kevin White

Another former top-10 pick, Kevin White was brought in to help out a depleted wide receiver group. There’s a chance he could land on the practice squad when all is said and done.

12. WR River Cracraft

Cracraft was another veteran wide receiver added late in training camp. The odds are he was just a camp body and we might not see him again unless things get really bad.

13. TE Chase Harrell

An athletic undrafted free agent who impressed in camp, don’t be surprised if Harrell is brought back on the practice squad.

14. TE MarQueis Gray

Gray signed with the 49ers last week following multiple injuries at the tight end position. But the 30-year-old never stood a chance of making the team.

15. OT William Sweet

A second-year undrafted free agent, Sweet signed with the 49ers a few weeks ago but was a longshot give the team’s tackle depth.

16. OL Jaryd Jones-Smith

Much like Daniel Brunskill, Jones-Smith was a former AAF standout. Unfortunately, his career might not take the same trajectory as Brunskill’s. A practice squad spot could be in his future, however.

17. OG Ross Reynolds

Reynolds spent 2019 on the 49ers’ practice squad after impressing in camp. He could find himself back in that spot again after another strong showing this summer.

18. OT Kofi Amichia

A former sixth-round pick, Amichia spent the last month of the season on the 49ers’ practice squad. Perhaps that’s where he lands again.

19. C Hroniss Grasu

This one comes as a bit of a surprise given the dire situation of the 49ers’ center position. This likely bodes well for Ben Garland’s injury status.

20. DT Darrion Daniels

An undrafted free agent out of Nebraska, Daniels is a powerful nose tackle who could make for promising depth behind D.J. Jones down on the practice squad.

21. DE Alex Barrett

A former teammate of Brunskill’s on the San Diego Fleet in the AAF, Barrett was signed to the practice squad in November of last year, but couldn’t crack a deep defensive line rotation in training camp.

22. DE Cameron Malveaux

Malveaux was signed just a few days ago and, much like Barrett, is another veteran defensive end who couldn’t find his way on to the roster.

23. CB Tim Harris

A 2019 sixth-round pick, Harris missed all of his rookie season with a groin injury. Many expected him to make the team in 2020, but a spot on the practice squad appears more likely provided he clears waivers.

24. CB Dontae Johnson

At this point, we’re just waiting for the 49ers to re-sign Dontae Johnson again. It’s going to happen.

25. S Johnathan Cyprien

Marcell Harris beats out veteran Johnathan Cyprien for one of the backup safety spots. Cyprien always seemed like an odd signing at the time, and he fails to crack a deep position group in training camp.

26. S Jared Mayden

An undrafted free agent out of Alabama, Mayden could be an ideal developmental project on the practice squad given his versatility.