49ers 2023 roster cuts: Tracking which players are being let go

The 49ers face some difficult decisions getting down to 53 players in advance of Tuesday's roster-cut deadline. We track them all here.

No head coach or general manager enjoys telling a player that he isn't going to make the 53-man roster.

Although, as San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters just prior to the NFL's mandated "cut down" day of Tuesday, Aug. 29, it can get easier over time. Even though Shanahan knows he'll be ending many a fringe player's dream of continuing a career in the NFL.

The Niners' offseason roster of 90 players will be cut down to 53 no later than 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, but Shanahan also pointed out how the initial 53-man roster will change frequently, and that the relationships forged with players who otherwise might not make the cut could still carry weight down the road:

"I also try to stress to the guys so much that everyone makes such a big deal about the final 53. But as I’ve always say, there’s never been a final 53 in the history of football. That’s just the final 53 for Tuesday. We still pick out 16 practice squad guys and normally throughout a year people go down and we like to bring people back that we know. ... Just because they’re not a part of our 53 or 16 does not mean that they’re not going to have an opportunity to be a part of this team at some time in the year."

Related story: Final predictions for 49ers' opening 53-man roster in 2023

San Francisco has already started the process of letting go of players, waiving them if they've accrued less than four years at the pro level, or releasing them if they've reached that threshold.

Then, for 24 hours after roster cuts, teams like the 49ers can name a 16-man practice squad.

As for the first wave of cuts, the Niners announced they had let go of the following players:

• CB Nate Brooks
• DL La'Darius Hamilton
• DL Breeland Speaks
• LB Kyahva Tezino
• DL Spencer Waege

Waege, the undrafted free agent out of North Dakota State, is an intriguing pass-rusher who might end up being a developmental prospect if San Francisco can sneak him onto the practice squad.

Few of the other names had a realistic chance of making the regular-season roster anyway.

49ers tracker for 53-man roster cuts, waived and released players

Keep revisiting and refreshing this page for updates as they flow in between now and up to (and likely through) Tuesday's cut-down deadline of 4 p.m. ET.

The 49ers also cleared one roster spot by trading quarterback Trey Lance away to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a fourth-round NFL Draft pick in 2024, the move being quite the blockbuster ahead of Friday's preseason finale against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Edge Taco Charlton, who had been acquired in the middle of camp, was also released with an injury settlement after suffering the setback this preseason.

According to Niners Nation, four players are heading to injured reserve to start the year: kicker Zane Gonzalez, safety Tayler Hawkins, tight end Cameron Latu and cornerback A.J. Parker.

Wide receiver Tay Martin is also being waived, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

Matt Barrows of The Athletic reported defensive back Qwuantrezz Knight and offensive lineman Leroy Watson are being waived, too, but both are excellent candidates for the practice squad if they clear waivers.

Barrows also reported rookie fullback Jack Colletto, someone who played a multitude of positions in college, was also waived and could likely be claimed before being inked to the practice squad:

In a bit of a shocker, Barrows noted that undrafted rookie D'Shawn Jamison, who impressed much during the preseason, was waived despite being a strong candidate to make the 53-man squad his first year at the pro level.

Additionally, Barrows stated that defensive linemen Kerry Hyder and Austin Bryant were "cut as procedural moves," and both are expected to be re-signed on Wednesday, provided neither shockingly signs elsewhere in the meantime.

Meanwhile, NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco reported that undrafted rookie offensive lineman Ilm Manning and second-year lineman Jason Poe were being waived, too, but would be worth adding to the practice squad if possible.

Also, according to Maiocco, rookie cornerback Darrel Luter Jr. is heading to the reserve/physically unable-to-perform list, stemming from an injury suffered during offseason workouts. Luter subsequently won't count for a roster spot but will automatically miss the first four games of the season.

Maiocco also shared that tight end Troy Fumagalli, wide receiver Chris Conley, running back Brian Hill, defensive tackle T.Y. McGill, running back Jeremy McNichols and wide receivers Willie Snead IV and Anthony Miller were released.

Finally, the offical website for the 49ers announced the full list of roster moves, including these players who hadn't been previously reported and are being waived:

• DL Alex Barrett
• DL Marlon Davidson
• OL Joey Fisher
• OL Alfredo Gutierrez
• S Myles Hartsfield
• OL Keith Ismael
• OL Corey Luciano 
• LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball
• LB Curtis Robinson
• CB Tre Swilling 

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