49ers news: Defensive tackle Akeem Spence released

The San Francisco 49ers decided to release defensive tackle Akeem Spence from the roster on Tuesday.

The San Francisco 49ers made a couple of minor roster moves on Tuesday, including the decision to release defensive tackle Akeem Spence from the active roster.

Spence, who just turned 31 years old in late November, has been a fixture around the league ever sine he was drafted in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft out of the University of Illinois by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

So far this season, Spence has appeared in seven games for the 49ers, helping the team as a veteran sub as they’ve dealt with myriad injuries along the defensive interior. From a knee injury for Kevin Givens to a pectoral injury for Hassan Ridgeway, the Niners have dealt with a lot of injuries along the front line including Javon Kinlaw, Maurice Hurst, and Kalia Davis.

Spence has played in only 32 percent of snaps in the games he’s played but has little production to show for it with 10 total tackles and nothing else. Spence has been nothing more than a rotational run stuffer for several seasons now, including last season with the Washington Commanders and the previous year with the New England Patriots. It’s safe to wonder how much is left for Spence beyond ’22.

That said, it is possible Spence slips onto the practice squad. The 49ers also made the decision to release quarterback Jacob Eason from the team’s practice squad in conjunction with Spence’s release on Tuesday so perhaps there’s a play there for the Niners to maintain some depth in case of further injury.