The San Francisco 49ers are entering the 2025 campaign with the hope that they will be able to improve after their disappointing 2024 season. Injuries plagued them last year, and they have already been hit by the injury bug pretty hard early in training camp. However, there’s still time for several key players to get healthy before the start of the new season.
The Niners are continuing to shuffle their roster ahead of the beginning of the regular season as they look to find the best possible combination of players. Ahead of their second preseason game, that led them to make a pair of under-the-radar roster moves, as they made a signing to shore up their defensive line, while also parting ways with a veteran tight end.
49ers Sign Shakel Brown, Release Ross Dwelley
San Francisco spent a lot of time revamping its defensive line this offseason, particularly in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, as mentioned above, the Niners already are dealing with injuries at this spot, as all four of their projected starters (Mykel Williams, Kevin Givens, Jordan Elliott, and Nick Bosa) are dealing with various ailments at the moment.
The 49ers already brought veteran pass rusher Trevis Gipson to town to give them some depth on their defensive line, but they still need some help here. That led them to reunite with defensive tackle Shakel Brown as another depth option. Brown has been in the league since 2023 after going undrafted, but he has yet to suit up for his first NFL game.
Of course, when one player arrives in town, that means another one has to head for the exit door. In this case, that player was veteran tight end Ross Dwelley, who returned to San Fran this offseason after spending one year with the Atlanta Falcons. Considering how the team has George Kittle at its disposal, this move shouldn’t come back to bite the 49ers.
“The San Francisco 49ers today announced they have signed DL Shakel Brown to a one-year deal. In order to make room on the roster, the team released TE Ross Dwelley,” the 49ers shared on Friday.
49ers Looking to Find Their Way Back to the Playoffs in 2025
GettyBrock Purdy celebrates a 49ers touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys on October 08, 2023.
After coming up just short in Super Bowl LVIII against the Kansas City Chiefs, the 49ers never really got off the ground last season. Injuries decimated both sides of the ball to the point where the team was almost unrecognizable by the end of the campaign. That prompted the front office to shed some talent this offseason, with their primary objective being to sign star quarterback Brock Purdy to a long-term extension.
That goal was accomplished when Purdy signed a five-year, $265 million deal, giving San Francisco a long-term building block on offense. With several other key pieces making a return to action in 2025, there’s reason to believe that the Niners can find their way back into the postseason after a one-year drought. And if they do, their previous playoff experience makes them a threat to go on a deep run.
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