49ers roster 2024: Curtis Robinson's chance likely won't come soon (if at all)

The 49ers seem content keeping Curtis Robinson around on the practice squad year by year, and that probably remains the case in 2024.

On one hand, veteran linebacker Curtis Robinson probably isn't going to make any huge strides during San Francisco 49ers training camp in 2024 to justify a roster spot.

On the other, Robinson seems to be a yearly favorite to hang around the team in one capacity or another.

The 26-year-old Robinson, who originally signed as an undrafted free agent of the Denver Broncos after the 2021 NFL Draft, saw modest action back and forth off their regular-season roster before being waived late in the year and subsequently claimed by the Niners. He saw action in three games with San Francisco his rookie year and then three again in 2022 and 2023, respectively, contributing almost entirely on special teams.

Injuries to others essentially opened up the slim door for Robinson to make an impact, as he otherwise spent the bulk of those two-plus years on the 49ers practice squad.

Could 2024 be any different? Or does he still face a daunting task in assuming a bigger role?

49ers moves at linebacker should halt Curtis Robinson's modest ascent

Initially, Robinson's low stock value was aided when star linebacker Dre Greenlaw suffered a torn Achilles in the Super Bowl last February.

Greenlaw is expected to miss the first few weeks of the regular season, which possibly opened up the door for Robinson to grab a spot at the very back end of the depth chart.

But the Niners inked All-Pro linebacker De'Vondre Campbell to help fill Greenlaw's shoes, and they'll also look to other depth contributors, namely players like Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles and Dee Winters, to help plug the gap behind Campbell and All-Pro Fred Warner.

Jalen Graham and Ezekiel Turner also crowd the linebacker room, too, which make things even tougher for Robinson to carve out a niche role.

What'll likely happen is not unlike what was seen in previous years: Robinson will get extensive field time late in preseason games before being released prior to Week 1, subsequently signing to the practice squad because San Francisco likes him there.

Then, once the regular season kicks off, Robinson might get the occasional call-up because of injury shortages.

But that's about it.

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