49ers make roster move that gives them more room for maneuver after Javon Hargrave injury

The San Francisco 49ers made a roster move on Tuesday, releasing veteran safety Tracy Walker III from the practice squad.

Walker had been elevated from the practice squad for the opening two games of the season as All-Pro Talanoa Hufanga sat out before finally making his return from a torn ACL last Sunday as the Niners lost a heartbreaker to the Los Angeles Rams.

Hufanga's return, result aside, came and went without any problems for the 2022 first-team All-Pro.

With now four healthy safeties on the active roster, there was little reason for the 49ers to keep Walker around, further motivation to release him having come on Monday.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed in his Monday conference call that starting defensive tackle Javon Hargrave had suffered a partially torn triceps muscle and would be out for the rest of the season .

San Francisco will struggle to replace Hargrave's impact, but the release of Walker creates more room for maneuver for the 49ers, who could use that now vacant spot to bring another defensive lineman into the mix.

The likely move of Hargrave to injured reserve will give the 49ers two free spots on the active roster. Defensive tackles T.Y. McGill and Evan Anderson are candidates to be signed to the active roster from the practice squad along with defensive end Sam Okuayinonu.

San Francisco has already elevated Okuayinonu twice this season and is only permitted to do so once more in 2024. Okuayinonu had a sack in the dramatic defeat to the Rams.

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