NFL teams are allowed to officially sign players to their practice squads starting today at 1 p.m. PT, which is the deadline to claim players off of waivers. Of course, reports of signings often surface before that.
As was the case last season, the NFL is allowing each team to establish a practice squad of 16 eligible players. Up to four of those players must not have earned more than two accrued seasons. Up to six can be veterans with an unlimited number of accrued pro seasons.
Up to three practice squad players are eligible to be promoted to the active roster for game days. Two must be done before 1 p.m. PT the day before the game. The other is eligible only in the event of a late COVID-19 positive test result and must be promoted earlier than 90 minutes before kickoff.
Practice squad players are eligible to sign with other teams only if they are being signed to a 53-man roster. Like last season, NFL teams can protect up to four practice squad players per week from being signed by other teams.
Practice squad players with two or fewer accrued seasons are paid $9,200 a week. Those with more than two accrued seasons are paid $14,000 a week.
Below is a list of players who the 49ers are reportedly planning to sign to their initial 16-player practice squad for the upcoming season.
FB Josh Hokit
Per David Lombardi, The Athletic
Hokit initially joined the 49ers as an undrafted free agent out of Fresno State in 2020.
Source: The 49ers are signing fullback Josh Hokit to their practice squad
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) September 1, 2021
TE Tanner Hudson
Greg Auman, The Athletic
Hudson (6-5, 239) has just five career receptions for 67 yards but is seen as a solid blocker. He spent the last three seasons with the Buccaneers.
Former Bucs tight end Tanner Hudson is signing with the 49ers' practice squad.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) September 1, 2021
G Senio Kelemete
Per Matt Barrows, The Athletic
Kelemete, a veteran, initially signed with the 49ers on June 11.
A few more to SF practice squad:
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) September 1, 2021
* S Jared Mayden
* G Senio Kelemete
* TE Tanner Hudson (per Bucs writer @gregauman ) https://t.co/aNKDSR0gVh
TE Jordan Matthews
Per Tom Pelissero, NFL Network
Matthews is a converted wide receiver and spent training camp with the 49ers. He has been with the team, off-and-on, since 2019.
The #49ers are re-signing WR-turned-TE Jordan Matthews to the practice squad, per source.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 1, 2021
S Jared Mayden
Per Matt Barrows, The Athletic
The 49ers initially signed Mayden as an undrafted free agent out of Alabama in 2020.
QB Nate Sudfeld
Per Matt Barrows, The Athletic
Sudfeld initially signed on April 7 and spent the entire offseason with the 49ers.
The 49ers are signing QB Nate Sudfeld to the practice squad, per source. #noduhMatt
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) September 1, 2021
LB Elijah Sullivan
Per Matt Barrows, The Athletic
Sullivan was named to Pro Football Focus' 2021 NFL Preseason All-Rookie Team.
#49ers are signing rookie LB Elijah Sullivan to the practice squad, per his agent. Sullivan played on the outside in training camp, showed good speed throughout the summer.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) September 1, 2021
CB Dee Virgin
Per Aaron Wilson
Virgin spent three seasons (2018-20) with the Lions, recording 12 career tackles. He joined the NFL with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent out of West Alabama.
Dee Virgin signing with San Francisco 49ers' practice squad, per a league source
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) September 1, 2021
49ers announce the following additional signings
- DL Alex Barrett
- WR Travis Benjamin
- WR River Cracraft
- DL Darrion Daniels
- OL Alfredo Gutierrez
- OL Corbin Kaufusi
- OL Colton McKivitz