Niners have one available roster spot

The 49ers placed cornerback Walt Harris on injured reserve today, officially ending his season before it ever started.

 

Harris, a 13-year veteran, sustained a torn knee ligament on May 19 during an offseason practice. He underwent surgery a couple weeks later.

 

With Michael Crabtree unsigned, the 49ers can add another player to reach their 80-man roster limit. The 49ers will almost assuredly look to sign a defensive lineman for training camp because of their number shortage at that spot.

 

The team today placed rookie defensive end Ricky Jean-Francois on the non-football illness list. His condition was described as a stomach illness. He is day-to-day, and should miss limited – if any – practice time, a team spokesman said.

 

The 49ers will place defensive end Ray McDonald on the physically unable to perform list after he underwent reconstructive knee surgery in the offseason.

 

When Jean-Francois and McDonald have been cleared to begin practice, they will be activated. In McDonald’s case, the 49ers could opt to place him on reserve/physically unable to perform at the end of the exhibition season. He would not count among the 53-man roster and he would be eligible to play after six weeks.

 

Jean-Francois and McDonald, however, count toward the 49ers’ 80-man limit for training camp.

 

The 49ers have saved a roster spot in training camp the past couple years by signing one player who can handle both kick and punt chores. This year, that man is Alex Romero. With Andy Lee and Joe Nedney locked in for roster spots, there is no competition. Therefore, it works to the 49ers’ advantage to have the same player working as a camp leg to lessen the workload from the two established veterans.

 

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