According to the league rules, the 49ers have to get down to 85 players before 1 p.m. PT Tuesday. That means five players must be released from the squad today. San Francisco released CB Ken Webster on Monday morning, per NBC Sports Matt Maiocco.
Whether Webster was released to make room for newly signed LB Mychal Kendricks or is part of the roster cut down feels like arguing semantics.
The team waived LB James Burgess Jr., LB Donald Payne, and DL Eddie Vanderdoes. with Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles and Azeez Al-Shaair clearing the concussion protocol and returning to practice Monday. There was no reason for San Francisco to carry an extra linebacker.
Samson Ebukam returns to practice as well, which would explain why defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes was released. The 49ers have plenty of depth at defensive tackle.
Burgess Jr. (6-0, 230) originally signed with the 49ers as a free agent on June 2, 2021, Payne (5-11, 217) originally signed with the 49ers as a free agent on August 11, and Vanderdoes (6-3, 315) originally signed with the 49ers as a free agent on August 12.
Kendricks (5-11, 240) was originally drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round (46th overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft.
Throughout his nine-year NFL career with the Eagles (2012-17), Seattle Seahawks (2018-19), and Washington Football Team (2020), he has appeared in 104 games (91 starts) and registered 536 tackles, 30 passes defended, 19.0 sacks, seven forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, and four interceptions. He has also started in all five postseason games in which he appeared and added 29 tackles and one pass defense.
Kendricks spent part of the 2020 season on the Seahawks practice squad. He was later signed to the Washington Football Team’s active roster and appeared in one game.