- Brayden Willis
- #9
- Team SF
- Pos TE
- Status AActive
-
Staying with Niners
The 49ers signed Willis to the practice squad Monday.
Analysis: Willis was waived by the 49ers roster Saturday in order to make room on the roster for fellow tight end George Kittle, who was activated from injured reserve. Willis has opted to stay in San Francisco as a member of the team's practice squad after clearing waivers, and he could be elevated to the active roster should the 49ers require depth at tight end at any point down the road.
Published: Mon, Oct 20 at 4:47pm by Rotowire.com
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Let go by San Francisco
The 49ers waived Willis on Saturday.
Analysis: Willis was signed to the active roster in mid-September to give the 49ers added depth at tight end after George Kittle was placed on injured reserve due to a torn hamstring he sustained against the Seahawks in Week 1. With Kittle activated from IR on Saturday, Willis is no longer needed on the 49ers' active roster, though the latter could remain in San Francisco and sign with the team's practice squad.
Published: Sat, Oct 18 at 6:26pm by Rotowire.com
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Bumps to active roster
The 49ers signed Willis to the active roster from the practice squad Wednesday.
Analysis: Willis takes the roster spot of Ben Bartch, whom San Francisco placed on IR on Wednesday. With George Kittle (hamstring) also on IR until at least Week 6, Willis is positioned to contribute in a reserve role at tight end versus the Cardinals on Sunday and beyond.
Published: Wed, Sep 17 at 1:15pm by Rotowire.com
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Returns to practice squad
Willis reverted to the 49ers' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.
Analysis: Willis failed to reel in his only target while playing six offensive snaps in Sunday's 26-21 win over the Saints. The tight end is eligible to be elevated to the active roster two more times before the 49ers would have to sign him to the active roster.
Published: Mon, Sep 15 at 5:23pm by Rotowire.com
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Back with active roster
Willis was elevated from the 49ers' practice squad to the active roster Saturday.
Analysis: The 2023 seventh-round pick from Oklahoma remained with San Francisco's practice squad after missing the active roster in late August, and he'll likely suit up for the first time this season Sunday. With George Kittle (hamstring) sidelined for the next four games at least, Willis could remain with the 49ers' active roster for the foreseeable future and serve as the No. 3 tight end.
Published: Sat, Sep 13 at 2:45pm by Rotowire.com
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Remains in SF on practice squad
Willis signed with San Francisco's practice squad Wednesday.
Analysis: Willis will supply organizational depth behind George Kittle, Luke Farrell and Jake Tonges, who made the 53-man roster. Since being selected in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the 49ers, Willis has appeared in 17 regular-season games without logging a target.
Published: Wed, Aug 27 at 1:59pm by Rotowire.com
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Waived by San Francisco
The 49ers waived Willis on Tuesday.
Analysis: Willis played 17 games for the 49ers since being drafted in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft, but he mostly worked in a special-teams role and was targeted just twice. He began the 2024 season on the practice squad but was eventually promoted, so he'll look to work his way onto the active roster again this year.
Published: Tue, Aug 26 at 6:06pm by Rotowire.com
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Signs tender Tuesday
Willis signed his exclusive rights free-agent tender with the 49ers on Tuesday.
Analysis: Willis is now officially set to return for to San Francisco for the 2025 campaign after having been tendered earlier in the offseason. The tight end didn't make a catch in 10 regular-season games last season and will compete for a backup spot behind George Kittle.
Published: Tue, Apr 22 at 5:10pm by Rotowire.com
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No snaps on offense in Week 15
Willis played all 20 of his snaps on special teams in Thursday's 12-6 loss to the Rams.
Analysis: The 49ers kept four tight ends active Thursday, but only two (George Kittle and Eric Saubert) saw snaps on offense, while Willis and Jake Tonges were limited to special-teams roles. Willis has suited up in seven games this season but has played just 10 total snaps on offense.
Published: Wed, Dec 18 at 8:30am by Rotowire.com
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Inactive for Week 10
Willis (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against Tampa Bay.
Analysis: Willis was signed to the 49ers' active roster Oct. 9 and played in Week 8 against the Cowboys, but he'll be a healthy scratch for Week 10. George Kittle, Eric Saubert and Jake Tonges will be the 49ers' three active tight ends for Sunday's game.
Published: Sun, Nov 10 at 9:41am by Rotowire.com
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Receives promotion
Willis signed with the 49ers' active roster from their practice squad Wednesday.
Analysis: Willis was only elevated from the practice squad once before in Week 3, so he was still eligible to be bumped up two more times. However, San Francisco will opt to sign the Oklahoma product to its active roster with the spot opened up by Talanoa Hufanga (wrist) being placed on IR.
Published: Wed, Oct 9 at 2:16pm by Rotowire.com
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Heads back to practice squad
Willis reverted to the 49ers' practice squad Monday.
Analysis: The tight end played on four of 71 offensive snaps in Sunday's 27-24 win over the Rams, trailing Eric Saubert's 61 and Jake Tonges' 16. Willis was elevated to the active roster with starter George Kittle out due to a hamstring injury. Willis does not have a catch in eight career appearances with the 49ers.
Published: Mon, Sep 23 at 5:37pm by Rotowire.com
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Elevated for Week 3
The 49ers elevated Willis from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
Analysis: Willis was unable to make the 49ers' 53-man roster at the end of training camp, but he opted to stick around on the practice squad. With George Kittle (hamstring) ruled out for Sunday's game against the Rams, Willis will serve as the 49ers' No. 3 tight end behind Eric Saubert and Jake Tonges.
Published: Sat, Sep 21 at 2:10pm by Rotowire.com
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Staying with 49ers
The 49ers signed Willis to their practice squad Wednesday, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Willis will stick around with the 49ers despite being waived Tuesday. The rookie undrafted free agent will look for an opportunity to be elevated for a regular season game at some point during the upcoming campaign.
Published: Wed, Aug 28 at 5:28pm by Rotowire.com
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Loses roster spot
Willis was waived by the 49ers on Tuesday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Willis appeared in seven regular-season games for San Francisco last year after he was selected in the seventh round of the 2023 Draft out of Oklahoma. However, that experience wasn't enough to keep him with the 49ers for now. He'll likely be a candidate for the practice squad if he doesn't find an opportunity elsewhere.
Published: Tue, Aug 27 at 2:29pm by Rotowire.com
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Won't make debut
Willis (coach's decision) is inactive Sunday against the Steelers.
Analysis: Willis made the team after getting selected in the seventh round of the 2023 draft, but he still remains behind Ross Dwelley, Charlie Woerner, and of course, George Kittle on the team's tight-end depth chart.
Published: Sun, Sep 10 at 9:06am by Rotowire.com
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