49ers' latest roster move suggests all is not right with Mitch Wishnowsky

The 49ers made a subtle roster move leading into Week 11, and it points at something wrong with Mitch Wishnowsky.

The San Francisco 49ers executed what seems to be a minor transaction on the Wednesday prior to their Week 11 home game against the Seattle Seahawks.

It was a move for the practice squad, signing punter Pat O'Donnell while releasing defensive tackle T.Y. McGill.

Practice squad transactions fly under the radar, understandably. In this case, however, it could spell a potential problem for the Niners' special teams unit, one that has already underdelivered (and then some) over the course of 2024.

Punter MItch Wishnowsky is dealing with a back injury. And while it's not clear if it's related to the same back issues he had during training camp and in the preseason, there is a reasonable cause for concern that it could impact his availability for San Francisco's next game.

Without diving too deep into the medical side of things, back problems are no joke. And signing O'Donnell is an indicator of the 49ers' need for extra insurance.

Granted, the move could merely be to have a specialist available for the week's slate of practices, which kick off on Wednesday. While McGill has been a modest rotational reserve piece for the Niners' defensive line, having a go-to punter in case Wishnowsky is forced to miss time is ultimately more important.

San Francisco found out the need for extra specialists amid kicker Jake Moody's lengthy absence because of a high-ankle sprain, one that ended when he returned in Week 10 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

That's another story, though.

Meanwhile, fans and analysts will keep note on whether or not Wishnowsky is edging closer to playing against the Hawks.

If he can't go, O'Donnell winds up being the de facto option on special teams.

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