The San Francisco 49ers have announced the following roster moves ahead of their week three matchup against the Los Angeles Rams:
- TE Brayden Willis has been elevated to the active roster from the team's practice squad.
- DL Sam Okuayinonu has been elevated to the active roster from the practice squad.
- TE George Kittle's game status for Sunday has been downgraded from 'questionable' to 'out.'
Willis, the second-year player out of Oklahoma, was active for seven games as a rookie. He did not catch any passes last season and only recorded one tackle on special teams. Sunday will be the first time this season that Willis has been on the active roster.
Willis' promotion to the active roster comes as a result of a hamstring injury suffered by Kittle last week, who will miss his first game this season. The All-Pro tight end has 11 catches for 116 yards and one touchdown through the team's first two games. Willis will join Eric Saubert and Jake Tonges as the only healthy tight ends on the roster. He will likely serve as the number three tight end.
Okuayinonu is in his third NFL season, and his first with the 49ers. The former Maryland defensive lineman is being elevated for the second time this season. In week one, against the New York Jets, Okuayinonu recorded two tackles. Although he is in his third season in the league, Okuayinonu has only seen the field in seven games. As a rookie, he was never active on game day, and last season, appeared in only six games for the Tennessee Titans. In those games, Okuayinonu recorded a half-sack and 11 tackles.
A practice squad player can be a game-day elevation a maximum of three times before the player must either be signed to the active roster or pass through waivers to be re-signed to the practice squad. Since this is Okuayinonu's second time being elevated, he will only be able to be promoted once more until the 49ers have to decide on what to do with him.