On Saturday, the San Francisco 49ers announced the following roster moves ahead of Sunday's matchup against the New Orleans Saints:
- Promoted LB Curtis Robinson from the practice squad to the 53-man roster
- Waived DE Robert Beal, Jr.
- Elevated TE Brayden Willis from the team's practice squad
- Elevated QB Adrian Martinez from the practice squad
After four seasons primarily spent contributing on special teams with the 49ers, Robinson's 2024 season was cut short by a torn ACL suffered in practice last September. The injury required surgery and ended his year. But Robinson battled back and made his return to the field last week in Seattle. He is now back on the 49ers' active roster.
Robinson replaces Beal, who the 49ers drafted in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL draft. Beal has appeared in 18 games in two seasons. In those games, he recorded one sack, one QB hit, and 22 tackles, but has not shown signs of developing into the player the team hoped he could become. Because he has less than four accrued seasons, Beal is being waived, rather than released. Waived players must go through the waiver system before becoming a free agent.
Willis, a seventh-round pick out of Oklahoma, is entering his third season with the 49ers. Over the first two years of his NFL career, Willis has primarily made his mark on special teams, appearing in 17 games. Another 2023 draft pick, Willis has yet to earn much playing time, especially on offense. He is, perhaps, best known for being called for offensive holding in overtime of Super Bowl LVIII.
Martinez will serve as Mac Jones' backup against the Saints on Sunday. Jones is playing for the injured Brock Purdy (toe). Martinez, the former UFL MVP, spent time with the Detroit Lions in the summer of 2023 and was with the New York Jets last season. He signed with the 49ers on August 28 after being waived by the Jets. Martinez completed 30 of 51 pass attempts for 352 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions during the preseason last month.
Both Willis and Martinez are standard elevations, meaning the players will revert to the practice squad following the game.