SF 49ers news: Salvon Ahmed’s fumbles cost him a roster spot
By Peter Panacy
The SF 49ers needed to free up a roster spot to sign Erik Swoope, and running back Salvon Ahmed got chopped after committing too many fumbles.
So much for the SF 49ers potentially wielding another up-and-coming undrafted free-agent running back.
On Monday, news broke the Niners were adding another tight end to the 80-man offseason roster, former Indianapolis Colts TE Erik Swoope. The move made sense, as reserve tight end Ross Dwelley had been dinged up in training camp and the veteran, Jordan Reed, has yet to take the field in practices.
To make a move, however, San Francisco had to part ways with one of its rookie additions from this previous April, former Washington running back Salvon Ahmed.
Ahmed, whom the 49ers signed as an undrafted free agent, rushed for 1,020 yards on 188 carries with 11 touchdowns last season for the Huskies. While he was going to be a long shot to make the Niners’ regular-season 53-man roster, Ahmed was at least a favorite to land on the practice squad.
But that was before some problematic efforts in training camp. On Aug. 22, Niners Nation reported Ahmed committed two fumbles during camp practices, which is a big no-no for head coach Kyle Shanahan. Some argued that was the reason the SF 49ers moved on from one of their other top running backs, Matt Breida, during the offseason.
Additionally, Niners Nation also reported Ahmed had an easy drop along the sidelines when he was targeted in drills a couple of days later.
Ahmed was going to have a tough time making the regular-season roster. The Niners are already stacked at the position with returning veterans Jerick McKinnon, Tevin Coleman and Raheem Mostert all but guaranteed spots. Fellow runners Jeff Wilson Jr. and JaMycal Hasty are vying for what’s likely to be the fourth and final spot on the depth chart.
But the Niners waiving Ahmed this soon is a pretty good indication they have no intention towards bringing him back, either as a reserve option later in the season or immediate addition to the practice squad when pre-Week 1 roster cuts are announced.
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To put things lightly, Ahmed didn’t help his chances by putting the ball on the ground, and it’s probable those fumbles cost him his 49ers career.