The San Francisco 49ers announced several roster moves on Wednesday. The team has signed running back Ke'shawn Vaughn and wide receiver Jontre Kirklin to one-year deals. To make room on the roster, the 49ers released safety Erik Harris and waived/injured wide receiver Terique Owens.
San Francisco initially signed Owens, the son of Hall of Fame wide receiver Terrell Owens, as an undrafted free agent. Mike Garafolo of NFL Network later reported that Owens has a small fracture in his right hand that will sideline him for about 5-7 weeks.
The 49ers Communications staff provided the following rundown.
Kirklin (6-0, 184) originally entered the NFL after signing with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent on May 13, 2022. Throughout his two-year NFL career, Kirklin has spent time on the Cardinals (2022) and New Orleans Saints (2022-24) practice squad.
A 25-year-old native of Lutcher, LA, Kirklin attended Louisiana State University for five seasons (2017-21), where he appeared in 57 games (three starts) and registered 20 receptions for 313 yards and three touchdowns to go along with 13 carries for 67 yards.
Vaughn (5-10, 214) was originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round (76th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft. Throughout his four-year NFL career, Vaughn has appeared in 43 games (one start) and registered 103 carries for 384 yards (3.7 average) and two touchdowns on the ground to go along with 14 receptions for 81 yards (5.8 average) and one touchdown through the air. In 2023, Vaughn appeared in six games and registered 24 carries for 42 yards on the ground and added two receptions for two yards through the air.
A 27-year-old native of Nashville, TN, Vaughn attended the University of Illinois (2015-17) before transferring to Vanderbilt University for three seasons (2017-20), where he appeared in 46 games (29 starts) and tallied 572 carries for 3,296 yards and 30 touchdowns on the ground and added 67 receptions for 664 yards and three touchdowns through the air.
Harris (6-2, 225) originally signed with the team on November 28, 2023. Owens (6-3, 200) originally signed with the team as an undrafted rookie free agent on May 6, 2024.
