49ers: Top 5 mistakes Lynch and Shanahan made during 2019 roster cuts
By Chris Wilson
No. 4: Placing DL Kentavius Street on short-term IR
49ers defensive lineman Kentavius Street, a 2018 fourth-round draft pick who was “red-shirted” during his rookie year due to a knee injury he sustained before the draft, demonstrated he wasn’t ready for the NFL’s big stage during the 2019 NFL preseason.
Street ranked dead last among San Francisco’s defensive lineman, per Pro Football Focus (PFF), and his subpar play and ongoing knee issues forced the team to shut him down after San Francisco’s preseason Week 3 matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs. When the team scheduled Street for arthroscopic knee surgery a day before 49ers’ final preseason game, the defensive lineman appeared destined to spend the second of his two years in the NFL on season-ending Injured Reserve (IR).
Shanahan confirmed a second lost season was “definitely the most likely” scenario for Street, but after his surgery, the 49ers changed their tune. Instead, the Niners’ brass placed their second-year lineman on short-term Injured Reserve, which will allow Street to return to action later in the season.
Unfortunately, due to NFL rules, in order to return in 2019, Street was required to make the 49ers’ initial 53-man roster on Saturday, forcing the team to release a player who would otherwise make the team. That player was defensive back Antone Exum, who started seven games for the Niners at both safety positions last season, and whose absence left San Francisco with just one true safety on the roster.
However, as soon as Street was placed on IR, the 49ers re-signed Exum. His quick return to the roster indicates Exum and Lynch came to an agreement prior to his release, which is the only reason this roster move doesn’t rank higher on this list.
Even if the move was orchestrated prior to cut-down day, allowing Exum — who will be an active member of San Francisco’s secondary this season — to potentially explore outside options wasn’t worth the gamble, particularly since Street is a far cry from being NFL-ready in 2019.