49ers roster 2024: You probably won't hear much of Isaac Alarcón

Entering the NFL as part of the International Pathway Program, Isaac Alarcón figures to be no more than a 49ers practice squad addition in 2024.

One of the many ways the NFL has tried expanding its brand across the globe is by initiating the International Pathway Program that extends offseason roster spots to players from other countries.

These players then get to partake in offseason workouts, training camp and even preseason games. That roster spot doesn't count against the usual maximum of 90 players either, and if an International Pathway Program player winds up being named to the practice squad thereafter, he won't count against the practice squad limits unless he gets promoted to the 53-man roster and subsequently demoted again.

It's rare for that last case.

From 2021 through 2023, the San Francisco 49ers had offensive lineman Alfredo Gutiérrez on the offseason roster as part of the pathway program, but his tenure with the team came to a close in 2024, which led to the Niners inking former Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Isaac Alarcón to a reserve/futures contract back on Jan. 23.

Who is OL Isaac Alarcón?

Alarcón, 6-foot-7 and 301 pounds, was born in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico, and attended the Monterrey Institute of Technology before joining the Cowboys as part of the International Pathway Program back in 2020.

From 2020 through 2023, Alarcón spent his time on Dallas' practice squad and did not see any action in regular-season play.

He did, however, find himself drafted by the Calgary Stampeders in Round 3 of the 2021 CFL Global Draft.

What will Isaac Alarcón's role with 49ers be?

Similar to Gutierrez, it's not likely Alarcón ends up making San Francisco's 53-man roster. He'd be the longest of long shots possible.

Unlike Gutierrez, who saw a mere handful of preseason snaps during his 49ers tenure, Alarcón could potentially find himself gracing the field late in exhibition games alongside other long shots who have very little chance of making a regular-season squad but are nevertheless vying for spots on a practice squad.

Assuming Alarcón doesn't wholly flame out, and having the extra practice body can always be beneficial into the regular season, it's likely the practice squad for the international pathway player in 2024.

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