49ers Hosting LBs Erik Walden, Hau’oli Kikaha
Free agent linebackers Erik Walden and Hau’oli Kikaha is visiting the 49ers today, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter links).
Walden, 33, signed a one-year deal with the Seahawks earlier this year, but didn’t make the final cut and was released from injured reserve last week. The veteran pass rusher spent the 2017 campaign with the Titans, appearing in all 16 games while managing four sacks and 36 tackles. Walden posted 11 sacks as recently as the 2016 season, but he’s struggled to find contracts in recent years despite that production.
Kikaha, meanwhile, was the 44th overall selection in the 2015 draft, but he’s been beset by injuries and ineffectiveness during his three-year tenure. After playing on 62% of the Saints’ snaps during his rookie campaign, Kikaha missed the 2016 season with a torn ACL (the third of his football career) and subsequently saw action on only 209 defensive snaps the following year. New Orleans shopped Kikaha ahead of the 2017 trade deadline, and waived him during final cutdowns.
Both Walden and Kikaha could conceivably play either outside linebacker or defensive end in the 49ers’ 4-3 scheme. At present, San Francisco is deploying former first-round picks Solomon Thomas and Arik Armstead as its starting edge rushers, with Cassius Marsh, Ronald Blair, and Julian Taylor in reserve.
49ers Injury Updates
- 49ers linebacker Brock Coyle suffered a concussion during today’s loss to the Vikings, reports Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area (via Twitter). The 27-year-old had compiled six tackles during the contest. Coyle appeared in 16 games (10 starts) for San Francisco last season, finishing with 64 tackles. 0.5 sacks, and one forced fumble. Maiocco adds that offensive guards Mike Person and Joshua Garnett both looked fine in the locker room after leaving the game with foot injuries.
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Minor NFL Transactions: 9/8/18
Here are Saturday’s minor moves.
Denver Broncos
- Released from IR: OL Menelik Watson
Houston Texans
- Released from IR: LB Ben Heeney
New York Jets
- Signed: OLB Frankie Luvu
- Waived: FB Lawrence Thomas
San Francisco 49ers
- Placed on IR: LB Dekoda Watson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: CB Javien Elliott
- Placed on IR: CB De’Vante Harris
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/6/18
Today’s practice squad transactions:
New England Patriots
- Signed: TE Stephen Anderson
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: RB Boston Scott
New York Giants
- Signed: RB Robert Martin
Philadelphia Eagles
- Waived: CB De’Vante Bausby
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: DL Daeshon Hall
- Waived: DL Niles Scott
Joe Staley Considered Retirement
The few years preceding the dawn of the Kyle Shanahan era in San Francisco were dark times. The 49ers had three coaches in a three year span and experienced a lot of losing. The stress took a toll on many of the team’s veteran players, including longtime left tackle Joe Staley.
Staley, who’s been with the 49ers ever since he was taken in the first round back in 2007, revealed in a recent interview with Eric Branch of The San Francisco Chronicle that he considered retirement amidst all the losing and coaching changes. It’s all behind him now, and he says he feels rejuvenated by the energy Shanahan has injected into the team, but it sounds like Staley very nearly walked away from the game.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/3/18
We’ll keep track of today’s practice squad moves here:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: RB Brian Hill
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: LB B.J. Bello, S Demetrious Cox, CB Chris Jones
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: DE Christian LaCouture
Chicago Bears
Signed:
- OL Dejon Allen
- DL Abdullah Anderson
- QB Tyler Bray
- WR Tanner Gentry
- DB Michael Joseph
- DB Jonathon Mincy
- RB Taquan Mizzell
- RB Ryan Nall
- OL James Stone
- LB Josh Woods
Cleveland Browns
Signed:
- OL Christian DiLauro
- DL Daniel Ekuale
- DL Zaycoven Henderson
- RB Dontrell Hilliard
- OL Kyle Kalis
- TE Pharoah McKever
- DB Jeremiah McKinnon
- DB Montrel Meander
- DB Tigie Sankoh (International Pathway Player, does not count against 10-man limit)
- WR Da’Mari Scott
- LB Brady Sheldon
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: RB Bo Scarbrough
Detroit Lions
- Signed: DT John Atkins, CB Cre’Von LeBlanc, DE Eric Lee
Denver Broncos
- Signed: G Avery Gennesy, OLB Jeff Holland
Houston Texans
- Signed: CB Mike Tyson
Indianapolis Colts
Signed:
- G Jamil Douglas
- RB Jeremy McNichols
- DE Carroll Phillips
- LB Ahmad Thomas
- DE Jihad Ward
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: TE Thomas Duarte, QB Cardale Jones
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: TE Cole Hikutini
New England Patriots
- Signed: WR Jace Billingsley, T Eric Smith
New York Jets
Signed:
- WR Deontay Burnett
- C Nico Falah
- OT Dieugot Joseph
- RB De’Angelo Henderson
- DL Bronson Kaufasi
- QB John Wolford
New York Giants
- Signed: LB Ukeme Eligwe
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: G/T Denver Kirkland, DB Terrell Sinkfield, DB Rico Gafford
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: OL Zack Golditch
Seattle Seahawks
Signed:
- RB Lavon Coleman
- DT Frank Herron
- CB Akeem King
- TE Marcus Lucas
- QB Alex McGough
- T Elijah Nkansah
- WR Keenan Reynolds
- G Jordan Roos
- WR Caleb Scott
- LB Antwione Williams
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Signed:
- OL Cole Boozer
- CB Javien Elliott
- DE Demone Harris
- TE Tanner Hudson
- S Godwin Igwebuike
- DL Jeremiah Ledbetter
- LB Eric Nzeocha (International Pathway Player, does not count against 10-man limit)
- DE Pat O’Connor
- RB Dare Ogunbowale
- LB Azeem Victor
- WR Bobo Wilson
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: OL Coleman Shelton, WR Austin Proehl, DL Deon Simon, QB Logan Woodside
NFC Minor Moves: 9/3/18
There have been plenty of transactions across the league today. While the big names all garnered headlines of their own, there were tons of more under-the-radar signings and cuts as well. Here are all the additional moves from the NFC so far today:
Detroit Lions
- Waived: WR Trevor Bates
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: RB Darius Jackson
- Waived: CB Herb Waters
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: OL Josh LeRibeus
- Released: LB Nathan Stupar
- Waived: RB Trey Edmunds
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: DB Antone Exum, OL Matt Tobin
- Placed on IR: S Marcell Harris, RB Jerick McKinnon
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: LS Garrison Sanborn
- Placed on IR: DT Mitch Unrein
Washington Redskins
- Signed: DL Caleb Brantley
- Waived: DE Anthony Lanier
49ers Tried Trading For Khalil Mack
Add one more team to the list of those who tried trading for superstar defensive end Khalil Mack before he was ultimately dealt to the Bears. The 49ers tried acquiring the All-Pro pass-rusher, according to Cam Inman of the Mercury News.
49ers GM John Lynch talked about the team’s pursuit of Mack earlier, saying “we would have been foolish not to” go after him. Lynch added that the team moved “aggressively” for Mack, but ultimately came up just short in the negotiations.
In the same article, Inman writes that coach Kyle Shanahan hasn’t ruled out adding a different pass-rusher. Mack would’ve joined forces with last year’s number three overall pick Solomon Thomas, and would’ve greatly bolstered the 49ers’ defense.
Clearly, the Raiders had a host of suitors for Mack and a number of trade offers to choose from. Nobody was able to beat the Bears’ offer, and Lynch made clear that the team established “parameters” as to what they were willing to include in trade talks.
Sunday NFL Transactions: NFC West
Listed below are the Sunday roster moves for the four NFC West teams. Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline yesterday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters, claiming players off waivers or signing guys who clear waivers. Those transactions for the Cardinals, Rams, 49ers, and Seahawks are noted below.
Additionally, as of 12:00pm CT today, teams can begin constructing their 10-man practice squads. You can check out our glossary entry on practice squads to brush up on those changes, as well as all the other guidelines that govern the 10-man units, whose players practice with the team but aren’t eligible to suit up on Sundays.
Here are Sunday’s NFC West transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day:
Arizona Cardinals
Signed:
- DE Zach Moore
Claimed:
Cut:
- OL Evan Boehm
- T Will Holden
- DE Vontarrius Dora (injured)
- S A.J. Howard (injured)
Practice squad:
- RB Elijhaa Penny
- OL Will House
- DE Alec James
- QB Charles Kanoff
- DT Pasoni Tasini
- WR Jalen Tolliver
- TE Andrew Vollert
Los Angeles Rams
Practice squad:
- DB Dominique Hatfield*
- TE Temarrick Hemingway*
- WR Khadarel Hodge
- G Jeremiah Kolone
- TE Henry Krieger-Coble
- WR Steven Mitchell
- DB Steven Parker
- QB Luis Perez
- DB Ramon Richards
San Francisco 49ers
Signed to practice squad:
- WR Steven Dunbar
- TE Ross Dwelley
- CB Emmanuel Moseley
- QB Nick Mullens
- DB Tyvis Powell
- DL Niles Scott
- LB Pita Taumoepenu
- OL Najee Toran
- RB Jeff Wilson Jr.
Seattle Seahawks
Claimed:
Cut:
- DL Branden Jackson
- OL Rees Odhiambo
* = practice squad exception
49ers RB Jerick McKinnon Tears ACL
49ers running back Jerick McKinnon has suffered a torn ACL, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).
Earlier today it was reported McKinnon suffered a “concerning” leg injury. The injury “did not look good” a source told Matt Barrows of The Athletic (Twitter link). It now sounds like McKinnon will end up missing the entire season.
If McKinnon does end up missing the year, recent free agent signing Alfred Morris and Matt Breida will fill in. It’s also possible the team could look to add one of the many available veteran backs, like Orleans Darkwa. Kyle Shanahan specifically sought out McKinnon in free agency as a pass-catching back he thought would be great for his offense, and signed him to a massive contract.
McKinnon signed a four-year $30MM contract in March, but hasn’t been able to stay on the field since. He missed the entire preseason with a calf injury, and only returned to conditioning drills earlier this week. Needless to say, this would be a big blow to the 49ers’ new-look offense.