CB Nick McCloud and LB Jalen Graham should play prominent roles on special teams this week
The San Francisco 49ers promoted cornerback Nick McCloud from the practice squad on Saturday. McCloud has played on 19 special teams snaps for the previous two games with the Niners on both kickoff and punt teams.
Cornerback Deommodore Lenoir was ruled out with a knee injury, while Renardo Green is on the injury report because of his neck. Finally, you have to factor in Charvarius Ward not having played in a month, and it’s surprising that only one cornerback was added to the active roster.
Linebacker Jalen Graham and offensive lineman Sebastian Gutierrez were also elevated to the active roster from the practice squad.
Graham figures to take on the special teams snaps that linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, who was ruled out Friday with a knee injury. Flannigan-Fowles has been a consistent special-teamer all season for the Niners.
Gutierrez will serve as one of the swing linemen with Trent Williams sidelined another week with an ankle injury and Aaron Banks still in the concussion protocol. Spencer Burford could be in line for his first start of the season, but at left guard and not on the right side where he started in 2023.