The San Francisco 49ers still have over 24 hours to finalize their initial 53-man roster by trimming their current crop of 90 players down.
But, the subsequent moves are going to take place in waves after the Niners concluded their 2025 preseason by upending the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.
And that first wave of cuts, which the team officially announced on Monday morning, shouldn't surprise anyone. Particularly when looking at two of the names who'll be jettisoned:
Waived/injured:
QB Carter Bradley
QB Tanner Mordecai
So, yes. San Francisco isn't going to carry either player on the 53-man roster this season, which shouldn't come as a shocker. Both signal-callers were battling it out for a potential QB3 role on the depth chart, although neither showcased enough pluck to claim that spot behind Brock Purdy and his primary backup, Mac Jones. Sure, Bradley moderately outperformed Mordecai in this competition, but preseason Week 3 pretty much sealed both players' fates, especially when factoring in injuries.
If Bradley and/or Mordecai clear waivers and aren't signed by another team, then they'll revert over to the Niners' injured reserve list.
It's likely the 49ers sign a third-string quarterback to the practice squad, and if they reach the postseason, they'll name that individual to the in-game roster to serve as the emergency QB.
Not today's problem, though.
49ers' 1st wave of roster cuts carries zero surprises
Mordecai and Bradley were the two lone players waived/injured.
Offensive lineman Isaiah Prince, meanwhile, was placed directly on IR, effectively ending his season.
Additionally, the Niners announced the following two players had been waived:
- DL Jaylon Allen
- DL Shakel Brown
Both were late-preseason additions intended to bolster the depth chart amid injuries, and neither particularly stood out to factor in as a long-term piece.
San Francisco also outright released running back Ke'Shawn Vaughn, which might be good news for another fringe running back, Jeff Wilson Jr., who still has an outsider's chance of hanging onto a 53-man roster spot to open up the season.