49ers Cut 21 Players, Reach 53-Man Max
The 49ers have reached the 53-man roster maximum after releasing 21 players on Saturday afternoon. Here’s the full rundown:
The following players have been released:
- DL Jeremiah Attaochu
- WR Aaron Burbridge
- G Jonathan Cooper (story)
- WR Steven Dunbar Jr.
- TE Ross Dwelley
- DB Antone Exum Jr.
- TE Cole Hikutini
- FB Malcolm Johnson
- OL Andrew Lauderdale
- DB Dexter McCoil
- CB Tavarus McFadden
- RB Jeremy McNichols
- CB Emmanuel Moseley
- QB Nick Mullens
- DB Tyvis Powell
- DL Niles Scott
- OL Coleman Shelton
- LB Pita Taumoepenu
- LB Korey Toomer
- OL Najee Toran
- RB Jeff Wilson Jr.
In addition to those cuts, the Niners also have a few extra spots on their initial 53-man roster thanks to suspensions for wide receiver Victor Bolden and linebacker Reuben Foster. They’ll also be without defensive lineman Kentavius Street as he sits on the NFI list.
Jerick McKinnon Suffers “Concerning” Leg Injury
Jerick McKinnon only recently returned to practice, and now could be facing another extended absence. The 49ers running back went down with a leg injury in practice today, and it’s reportedly “concerning” according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (Twitter link).
The injury “did not look good” a source told Matt Barrows of The Athletic (Twitter link). More details are reportedly coming later when coach Kyle Shanahan has a conference call later today. Until then it’s hard to speculate, but it sounds like McKinnon could miss some serious time.
If McKinnon does end up missing time, recent free agent signing Alfred Morris and Matt Breida will fill in. 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. Any missed time would be a big blow to the 49ers’ new-look offense.
49ers Release OG Jonathan Cooper
A former first-rounder is now looking for a new gig. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the 49ers are releasing offensive guard Jonathan Cooper.
After being selected as the seventh-overall pick in the 2013 draft, Cooper spent the first three years of his career with the Cardinals. He was traded to the Patriots in the Chandler Jones deal back in 2016, but he didn’t last the entire season in New England. Since then, he’s spent time with the Browns, Cowboys, and 49ers.
After appearing in only five games during the 2016 campaign, Cooper ended up starting each of his 13 appearances in 2017 with Dallas.
Cooper’s release will boost the chances of several lineman to make the 49ers’ roster. This grouping includes Garry Gilliam, Joshua Garnett, and Erik Magnuson.
49ers To Cut LB Korey Toomer
Signed during a period when Reuben Foster‘s NFL future was in jeopardy, Korey Toomer will not make a 49ers team that will have the services of its top linebacker.
The 49ers will release Toomer as they pare their roster down to 53 players, Matt Barrows of The Athletic tweets.
Toomer is the second notable name the 49ers have parted with recently at linebacker. San Francisco traded former starter Eli Harold to the Lions. Rookie Fred Warner has impressed 49ers brass, per Barrows, leading to the Toomer decision.
Toomer served as a part-time Chargers starter over the past two years. He’s a vested veteran, so he’ll pass through to free agency as a result of this cut.
49ers Announce Roster Cuts
The 49ers acquired offensive tackle Shon Coleman earlier this evening, but that wasn’t the only transaction for the club. San Francisco has also begun trimming its roster in advance of Saturday’s roster deadline.
The following players have been cut by the 49ers:
- OL J.P. Flynn
- RB Ja’Quan Gardner
- G Chris Gonzalez
- QB Jack Heneghan
- DL Chris Jones
- P Jeff Locke
- T Pace Murphy
- WR Aldrick Robinson
- TE Wes Saxton
- DL Will Sutton
- OL Darrell Williams
- RB Joe Williams
Williams was a fourth-round pick in the 2016 draft, but he’s being pushed off the roster by veterans such as Alfred Morris and Raheem Mostert. Locke lost out in his camp battle with fourth-year punter Bradley Pinion. Robinson has followed 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan to each of his three stops.
49ers Acquire T Shon Coleman From Browns
The 49ers have acquired offensive tackle Shon Coleman from the 49ers, both clubs announced. San Francisco will send a 2019 seventh-round pick to Cleveland.
While the Browns still aren’t sure how they’ll formulate a post-Joe Thomas offensive line, Coleman won’t be part of their front five. Coleman, a 2016 third-round pick under Cleveland’s previous regime, started all 16 games at right tackle last season as a middling option, ranking 56th among 79 qualified tackles, per Pro Football Focus.
Coleman wasn’t in the Browns’ long-term future, but he could give the 49ers valuable depth. Joe Staley and Mike McGlinchey are locked in at left tackle and right tackle, respectively, for San Francisco, but Coleman is a viable swing option. His presence on the 49ers’ roster could potentially force the release of Garry Gilliam, who’s been dealing with a concussion for multiple weeks.
San Francisco will now control Coleman at minimum salaries for the next two seasons. Cleveland, meanwhile, will take on roughly $200K in dead money in each of the next two years.
49ers To Release WR Aldrick Robinson
A player who’s been with Kyle Shanahan in three cities will not be making the 49ers’ 53-man roster.
The 49ers will release Aldrick Robinson on Friday, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports (on Twitter). Robinson played for Shanahan in Washington and Atlanta before trekking to San Francisco last year.
Two rookie wideouts headed to San Francisco after 2018 draft picks, with the arrivals of second-rounder Dante Pettis and seventh-rounder Richie James potentially having an impact on the 29-year-old Robinson’s roster status. The 49ers didn’t add any veteran UFAs this year but return their top three in Pierre Garcon, Marquise Goodwin and Trent Taylor.
Robinson caught 19 passes for 260 yards last season. He’s served mostly as a backup in his seven-year career, which began as a 2011 Redskins sixth-round selection.
Elvis Dumervil Retires From NFL
Elvis Dumervil is calling it a career. On Thursday, the veteran defensive end took to Twitter to announce his retirement from the NFL. 
“After spending a great deal of time talking to my family and prayerfully considering what’s next in my career, I have made the difficult decision to step away from the NFL at this time,” Dumervil wrote. “Its been an incredible 12-year run.”
Dumervil, 34, ranked third among active players in career sacks with 105.5. And, last year, he led the 49ers with 6.5 sacks. Dumervil clearly still has some football in the tank – and he said his body “feels great” in his retirement announcement – but he has opted to spent more time with his family and focus on his other business ventures going forward.
Dumervil entered the league as a fourth-round pick of the Broncos in the 2006 draft and the Louisville product went on to become a pillar of the Broncos’ D. In 2009, he broke through as a defensive star with a league-leading 17 sacks. Interestingly, the Broncos have watched former stars Dumervil, Eric Decker, and Julius Thomas all retire in a matter of days.
In 2013, Dumervil hooked on with the Ravens and he continued to terrorize opposing quarterbacks. In 2014, he even matched his personal high of 17 sacks.
After 12 seasons in the league (eleven, if you exclude his lost 2010 season), Dumervil acquired five Pro Bowl nods and two First-Team All-Pro selections. He probably has some sacks left in him, but he already accomplished plenty on the field.
Jonathan Cooper A Looming 49ers Cut?
- Jonathan Cooper went from signing a near-$5MM contract with the 49ers this spring to possibly being a post-preseason casualty. A slow recovery from knee surgery has Cooper on the 49ers’ bubble, Corry notes. Cutting Cooper, who is behind Mike Person and Joshua Garnett at right guard, would cost the team $4.48MM in dead money.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/29/18
We don’t dance now, we make minor moves:
Cincinnati Bengals
- Waived: G Cory Helms
Detroit Lions
- Waived: OL Beau Nunn
- Waived/Injured: DT Toby Johnson
Houston Texans
- Waived/Injured: Ben Heeney
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: WR Tanner McEvoy
San Francisco 49ers
- Waived/Injured: WR Max McCaffrey