Following the final roster reductions to establish an initial 53-man squad, the San Francisco 49ers turned their focus toward filling out their practice unit according to USA Today. NFL clubs were permitted to begin signing players to practice squads as waiver claims and roster limits were processed. Teams are generally restricted to a maximum of 16 players, though that number can expand to 17 through the inclusion of an international player who qualifies for an exemption as reported by 49ers Webzone.
San Francisco 49ers Formulating 2026 Practice Squad Following Roster Cuts
For the 2026 campaign, the organization designated Isaac Alarcon as their International Player Pathway exemption following his release, noted Niners Nation. This exemption allows the franchise to carry a 17th player on the developmental unit, providing additional flexibility as the team prepares for a travel schedule that includes a season opener against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia.
Veteran Additions and Expected Returnees
The franchise moved quickly to bring back several familiar faces and veterans who spent time with the organization during the offseason or previous campaigns. Running back Sincere McCormick is returning to the developmental unit, per the Athletic’s Vic Tafur
as detailed by USA Today. McCormick spent part of the previous year on the practice squad and participated in the entire offseason program to serve as internal running back depth.
Additional veteran and rookie additions heading to the initial group include defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo, wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge, wide receiver Wesley Grimes, and tight end Khalil Dinkins, per the Athletic’s Matt Barrows
as outlined in USA Today’s tracking. Reports also indicated that linebacker Jalen Graham and defensive tackle Sebastian Valdez are expected to return to San Francisco through the practice squad according to reports highlighted by USA Today.
Waiver Claims and Roster Departures
Not every waived player who was considered a candidate cleared waivers to return to the organization. Standout undrafted free agent Bryson Eason was claimed off waivers by the Kansas City Chiefs after not making the initial 53-man roster, preventing a return to San Francisco noted USA Today. Similarly, former 49ers cornerback Darrell Luter Jr. was claimed off the waiver wire by the Raiders per ESPN’s Adam Schefter via USA Today.
Compensation and Eligibility Guidelines
Practice squad compensation and player eligibility are governed by collective bargaining agreements. Under league rules, eligible players generally include:
- Players who do not have an accrued season of NFL experience.
- Free agents who were on an active list for fewer than nine regular-season games during their only accrued season or seasons.
- Up to 10 free agent players per club who have earned no more than two accrued seasons, with no game-day active list limitations in those seasons.
- Up to six free agent players per club with no limitations regarding their earned accrued seasons.
Weekly salaries vary based on experience levels. Rookies and players with fewer than three accrued seasons receive $13,750 per week, while players with more than three accrued seasons can earn between $18,350 and $22,850 weekly according to figures cited by USA Today.
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