The San Francisco 49ers have waived tight end Brayden Willis, according to the NFL's transaction wire. This move was made to create space on the roster for long snapper Jon Weeks, who has been promoted from the practice squad.
Additionally, the team signed Khalid Kareem while placing Sam Okuayinonu on Injured Reserve. The decision to keep Willis over rookie undrafted free agent Bryson Eason had raised questions, as Eason had shown promise during the preseason, making it likely he would be worth developing.
Willis, who has been on and off the roster for several seasons, was used on special teams during the preseason but did not record any solo tackles over 32 snaps. With the return of players like Kyle Juszczyk and George Kittle, Willis's chances of contributing appeared limited.
Roster dynamics also played a role in the decision, as the team opted to keep James Thompson, another undrafted free agent defensive tackle, over Eason, who was affected by the numbers game. This situation highlights the competitive nature of the NFL, particularly for players like Willis, who faced unexpected news just days before the start of the season after traveling to Australia for training.
