49ers news: Jeff Wilson Jr. activated, D.J. Reed waived

The 49ers announced roster moves on Tuesday, including activating Jeff Wilson from the reserve/COVID-19 list and D.J. Reed being waived/injured.

The San Francisco 49ers continued to tweak the back end of their 80-man offseason roster on Tuesday, making some small moves including two stemming from the first-year reserve/COVID-19 list.

Previously, the Niners had two players on this list, wide receiver Richie James and running back Jeff Wilson Jr.

Both players have now been removed from that list, per the team’s website.

Wilson, who currently is pegged as San Francisco’s No. 4 running back behind Raheem Mostert, Tevin Coleman and Jerick McKinnon, will join the active roster in advance of training camp; the on-field portion of practices scheduled to begin on Aug. 12.

James, who suffered a broken wrist during unofficial offseason workouts, was moved to the active/non-football injury list.

Both Wilson and James face precarious paths to the 53-man roster this season. The 49ers’ running back room is crowded enough, and that list also includes two undrafted rookies, Salvon Ahmed and JaMycal Hasty, who are also vying for a spot on the regular-season roster. And despite some of the other question marks at wide receiver, James’ spot could be up for grabs, particularly if his wrist injury prevents him from solidifying a role as the team’s primary return specialist in 2020.

The Niners also activated defensive tackle Kentavius Street and wide receiver Shawn Poindexter from the active/physically unable-to-perform list.

49ers waive DBs D.J. Reed, Chris Edwards

In corresponding moves, San Francisco elected to waive both defensive backs D.J. Reed and Chris Edwards.

Reed, who suffered a torn pectoral during the offseason and is expected to miss all of 2020, is a candidate to return to the Niners if he clears waivers. If so, he’s a likely pegged as someone to land on the reserve/non-football injury list.

Update: The Seattle Seahawks reportedly claimed Reed, who could potentially return in November, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

The move leaves the 49ers’ defensive backfield a bit thin. Reed was the primary backup to nickel cornerback K’Waun Williams and also had seen time at free safety the last two seasons. During that two year stretch, Reed recorded 54 tackles, two pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a sack to go along with a defensive touchdown.

This particular move opens up the door for one of San Francisco’s less-discussed offseason pickups, defensive back Jamar Taylor, to make the 53-man roster as this primary backup for the secondary.