Rookie minicamp might be over, but the San Francisco 49ers are still adjusting their 90-man roster ahead of OTAs later this month.
On Tuesday, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reported that the 49ers signed rookie cornerback Derrick Canteen to a contract after an impressive tryout at minicamp. However, San Francisco parted ways with safety Quindell Johnson to make room for the rookie.
Johnson is the second former Rams defensive back that the 49ers have let go over the last week. San Fran released cornerback Tre'Vius Tomlinson on May 9, whom they claimed off waivers in March from LA. Tomlinson was placed on injured reserve earlier this week.
The 49ers signed Johnson to a futures contract earlier this year (Jan. 21) after the Los Angeles Rams cut him a couple of weeks prior (Jan .7).
The 25-year-old defensive back did not see any regular season with the Rams, who signed him at the end of the preseason last summer in his second stint with the club. Los Angeles signed Johnson as an undrafted free agent in May 2023 following the 2023 NFL Draft.
Johnson failed to make the 53-man roster out of preseason and was cut by the Rams. However, he was immediately claimed off waivers by the Chicago Bears. He played nine games for the Bears in 2023, predominantly on special teams (146 snaps).
After seeing some action in 2023, the Bears cut ties with Johnson on August 26, 2024, ahead of the 53-man roster deadline. Chicago signed Johnson to the practice squad two days later and cut him again on August 29.
If the 49ers decided to keep Johnson on the 90-man roster, he likely would’ve had to make the team through special teams. However, with the ex-Rams defender off the roster, it now gives Canteen, Jaylen Mahoney (signed to a futures deal in January), or fifth-round pick Marques Sigle to push for a spot on the 53-man roster.