The San Francisco 49ers have signed wide receiver Javon Baker to the practice squad, adding depth to their receiving corps. To make room, the team released kicker Matt Gay and quarterback Adrian Martinez from the practice squad.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler first reported the news of Baker's signing.
The move to release Gay indicates that regular kicker Eddy Piñeiro is set to return. Piñeiro has been sidelined since suffering a Grade 1 right hamstring strain on November 16 against the Arizona Cardinals.
San Francisco opened the practice window for rookie quarterback Kurtis Rourke this week, a move that likely contributed to the decision to part ways with Martinez. Rourke is on the non-football injury (NFI) list.
The 49ers Communications staff provided the following rundown.
Baker (6-1, 202) was originally drafted by the New England Patriots in the fourth round (110th overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft. As a rookie with New England in 2024, he appeared in 11 games (one start) and registered one reception for 12 yards. Following his release from the Patriots on August 27, 2025, Baker signed to the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad on September 5 and was released by the team on October 14.
A 23-year-old native of Atlanta, GA, Baker attended the University of Alabama (2020-21) before transferring to the University of Central Florida (2022-24) where he appeared in 46 games (25 starts) and registered 117 receptions for 2,051 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Gay (6-0, 232) originally signed to the team's practice squad on December 1, 2025, and appeared in two games where he made each of his four field goal attempts and all four of his extra point attempts. Martinez (6-2, 220) originally signed to the team's practice squad on November 18, 2025, and appeared in one game with the team.
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