SANTA CLARA, Calif. — In their effort to finalize a roster of 53 players on Tuesday, the San Francisco 49ers made several notable cuts, including the release of rookie defensive tackle Sebastian Valdez. The team also retained just two healthy wide receivers and parted ways with veteran punter Thomas Morstead.
This initial roster is widely regarded as a preliminary version, with adjustments expected in the coming days.
Morstead, who addressed his release by posting “R-E-L-A-X” on X shortly after being cut, may re-sign with the team as early as Wednesday. On that day, the 49ers plan to begin assembling their practice squad while addressing areas in need of reinforcement.
Potential practice squad additions include Valdez, wide receiver Russell Gage, tight end Brayden Willis, and linebacker Curtis Robinson. Should Gage make the squad, he could be called up to the active roster on game days early in the season. With Demarcus Robinson suspended for three games and Brandon Aiyuk starting the season on the physically unable to perform list, the only healthy receivers currently available are Ricky Pearsall and recently acquired Skyy Moore.
Position Breakdown Post-Cuts
Offense (25)
- Quarterback (2): Brock Purdy, Mac Jones
- Cut: Carter Bradley, Tanner Mordecai
- NFI: Kurtis Rourke
Bradley and Mordecai were waived after suffering ankle injuries in the preseason finale. Throughout the offseason, the team has appeared uncertain about their third-string quarterback, potentially looking to the transaction wire for an option. Rourke is expected to spend a minimum of four weeks on the non-football injury list following surgery to repair a torn ACL in January.
According to Mike Sando’s 2025 QB Tiers, Brock Purdy now ranks as the 14th-best quarterback with an average voting score of 2.5.
- Running back (5): Christian McCaffrey, Isaac Guerendo, Brian Robinson, Jordan James, Kyle Juszczyk (fullback)
- Cut: Jeff Wilson Jr., Ke’Shawn Vaughn
No surprises came from the running back group, as McCaffrey, Robinson, and Guerendo are secured as the top three. Jordan James, recovering from a broken pinkie, remains in reserve. Wilson, who performed well this summer, could be brought back to the practice squad.
- Wide receiver (5): Jauan Jennings, Ricky Pearsall, Skyy Moore, Jordan Watkins, Jacob Cowing
- PUP: Brandon Aiyuk
- Suspended: Demarcus Robinson
- Cut: Junior Bergen, Russell Gage, Robbie Chosen, Terique Owens, Isaiah Hodgins, Malik Knowles, Malik Turner
Demarcus Robinson’s suspension was announced on Tuesday, making him eligible for reinstatement after the Week 3 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. Cowing, who has a hamstring injury expected to take six weeks to heal, may be placed on injured reserve. Gage could find himself on the practice squad, giving the team flexibility for early-season games. Meanwhile, several notable receivers, including Trey Palmer, Marquez Valdez-Scantling, and former 49er Dante Pettis, were released by other teams on Tuesday.
- Tight end (3): George Kittle, Luke Farrell, Jake Tonges
- Cut: Brayden Willis
Tonges secured the third tight end position over Willis, who was also excluded from last year’s initial roster but later added to the practice squad before being promoted to the active roster in October.
- Offensive line (10): Trent Williams, Ben Bartch, Jake Brendel, Dominick Puni, Colton McKivitz, Connor Colby, Spencer Burford, Austen Pleasants, Matt Hennessy, Drew Moss
- Cut: Nick Zakelj, Isaiah Prince, Drake Nugent, Michael Dunn
- Suspended: Isaac Alarcon
A surprise cut was Zakelj, who had been with the team since 2022 and had experience playing both center and guard. Instead, the 49ers opted to retain rookies Colby and Moss, with the former primarily working at right guard and the latter being viewed as a potential future center despite only playing guard so far.
Defense (26)
- Defensive line (11): Mykel Williams, Jordan Elliott, Kalia Davis, Nick Bosa, Bryce Huff, CJ West, Alfred Collins, Evan Anderson, Sam Okuayinonu, Yetur Gross-Matos, Robert Beal Jr.
- IR: Kevin Givens
- Cut: Sebastian Valdez, Jonathan Garvin, Jaylon Allen, Bruce Hector, William Bradley-King, Shakel Brown
Valdez’s release was unexpected, as he had been difficult for 49ers offensive linemen to handle and uniquely did not miss any practices throughout the spring and summer. Gross-Matos appears to have been cleared for full participation just before final cuts.
- Linebacker (5): Fred Warner, Dee Winters, Nick Martin, Tatum Bethune, Luke Gifford
- Cut: Curtis Robinson, Chazz Surratt, Jalen Graham, Stone Blanton
There was little expectation that both Robinson and Surratt would make the roster given the emphasis on special teams this season and their strong performances in the preseason. It remains possible that one could return to the practice squad. Gifford is in competition with Martin and Bethune for the third linebacker spot during running situations, although Martin’s growth seems inevitable following two strong preseason performances.
- Cornerback (5): Deommodore Lenoir, Renardo Green, Darrell Luter Jr., Upton Stout, Chase Lucas
- Cut: Dallis Flowers, Fabian Moreau
- IR: Jakob Robinson
Flowers’s release came as a shock, considering his involvement with the first team and his popularity with defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, yet Luter’s strong camp performance earned him a spot. Lucas was recognized for his significant contributions during the preseason and received praise from teammates.
- Safety (5): Jason Pinnock, Ji’Ayir Brown, Marques Sigle, Siran Neal, Richie Grant
- Cut: Derrick Canteen, Jaylen Mahoney
The addition of Pinnock, who has connections to Robert Saleh, along with Neal’s versatility on special teams, rounds out a robust safety group.
Special Teams (2)
- PK Jake Moody, LS Jon Weeks
- Cut: P Thomas Morstead
The 49ers appear to have no intention of punting this season, or this could be a contractual maneuver since Morstead acts as his own agent, but he is expected to return by Wednesday.
“R-E-L-A-X” — Thomas Morstead (@thomasmorstead) August 26, 2025
(Photo of Sebastian Valdez: Trinity Machan / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
