The San Francisco 49ers have announced the following roster moves ahead of Sunday's regular-season finale against the Los Angeles Rams:
- WR/KR Ray-Ray McCloud has been activated off of the injured reserve list (IR).
- RB Jeremy McNichols and S Tayler Hawkins have been promoted to the active roster from the team's practice squad (standard elevations).
- TE Ross Dwelley was placed on IR.
McCloud has been on IR since December 10 with a rib injury. The 49ers return game has not been the same without McCloud. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel handled most of the kickoffs and handled them well. But punt returns were an issue, as McCloud's replacement, Ronnie Bell, fumbled multiple times. McCloud is expected to play against the Rams.
To make room for McCloud on the active roster, the 49ers placed Dwelley on IR. If the 49ers make it to the Super Bowl, Dwelley would be eligible to return. The tight end has missed the past four games with a high ankle sprain.
McNichols has been active in two games so far this season. With Christian McCaffrey not playing on Sunday, the 49ers will need an extra running back. This is especially important considering the injury history of Elijah Mitchell, who figures to start on Sunday and then give way to Jordan Mason. In two games with the 49ers this season, McNichols has not accumulated any statistics.
Hawkins, a second-year undrafted free agent, was placed on IR in late August and then waived a week later. He was signed to the 49ers practice squad on October 24. This is his first promotion to the gameday roster. Hawkins has never appeared in an NFL game.
The team is short on safeties, with injuries to Talanoa Hufanga, George Odom, Ji'Ayir Brown, and Tashaun Gipson being out, so Hawkins will be needed on Sunday. Brown and Gipson should return for the postseason. Odom also has a chance to return for the playoffs after missing part of the season with a torn biceps injury. Hufanga is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.
In addition, WR Danny Gray and WR Jauan Jennings have both been downgraded from questionable to out for Sunday's game. Gray has missed all season with a shoulder injury. Jennings has missed the last two games due to a concussion. FB Kyle Juszczyk's game status has also been changed to questionable due to an illness.