On Monday morning, the San Francisco 49ers made a couple of notable roster moves that appeared on the NFL transaction wire. The team re-signed defensive end Sam Okuayinonu to the practice squad while waiving offensive lineman Sebastian Gutierrez in a corresponding move.
While the latter might not seem significant at first glance, it becomes noteworthy when considering the overall roster. Matt Barrows of The Athletic pointed out that the 49ers now have only three offensive tackles on the roster—Jaylon Moore, Colton McKivitz, and Isaac Alarcon—following Gutierrez's departure.
This move means the 49ers currently have three offensive tackles in the building:
* LT Jaylon Moore
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) September 2, 2024
* RT Colton McKivitz
* Isaac Alarcon (practice squad) https://t.co/mhBYXAH65r
Moore is set to start at left tackle if Trent Williams' holdout for a restructured contract continues into the regular season. McKivitz is the starting right tackle, while Alarcon, the team's international pathway player, is currently on the practice squad.
Although the 49ers have players who could shift into tackle positions if necessary, the decision to carry only three true tackles raises questions. It may indicate that the team expects positive news regarding Williams' contract situation.
Last week, the contract situation with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk appeared grim until a sudden turnaround led to his signing a four-year, $120 million deal. Could similar developments be on the horizon for Williams? It's hard to imagine the 49ers entering Week 1's crucial prime-time matchup with only Moore, McKivitz, and Alarcon as their tackle options.
Of course, San Francisco could still make another roster move before Week 1 to strengthen the depth along the edges of the offensive line.
The 49ers are scheduled to return to practice on Tuesday at 10:55 a.m. before starting their typical game-week practice schedule with sessions on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. San Francisco will face the New York Jets at Levi's Stadium on Monday, September 9.
