On Tuesday August 26, 2025, NFL insider Adam Schefter reported the San Francisco 49ers are cutting running back Jeff Wilson Jr. from the roster.
The Wilson Jr. news comes on “cut day” for every NFL team. The 49ers and all 31 other teams must set their 53-man roster to open the season.
Wilson Jr., 29, was signed by the 49ers on August 10, 2025 after the 49ers running back corps was decimated by injuries. However, the Niners recently traded for RB Brian Robinson Jr. to shore up their RB room. Isaac Guerendo also returned from injury.
It appears that the 49ers will keep rookie running back Jordan James on the active roster over Wilson Jr. James, a dynamic rookie out of Oregon, turned heads with a stellar training camp performance. But James has been dealing with a broken finger.
The 49ers must not be opting to put James on IR if they are cutting Wilson Jr.
Jeff Wilson Had A Good Preseason, Could Be Back
Cutting Jeff Wilson Jr. was likely just as hard for 49ers coaches as it is to see for 49ers fans.
In 2 games during the 2025 preseason, Wilson Jr had 19 carries for 57 yards and two touchdowns. He also added one catch for 16 yards.
That included a solid recent performance against the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday August 23, 2025. Wilson had 11 carries for 41 yards and 1 touchdown, earning glowing praise from Head Coach Kyle Shanahan.
“Jeff’s got a shot,” Shanahan said when asked if Wilson could make the team (h/t Niner Noise). “I mean, love Jeff. One of my favorite players over the years and it was great to get him back in here. I think he’s done a good job… definitely going to make it hard on us.”
The 49ers could sign Wilson Jr., who doesn’t have to go through waivers, to the practice squad if there is mutual interest. Wilson Jr. has had some of his best years in San Francisco, with 1,733 yards and 15 touchdowns over 5.5 seasons.
https://x.com/MaioccoNBCS/status/1960398560312324169
The only obstacle the 49ers could face to keeping Wilson Jr. around is if another team wants to sign him to their active roster.
Another Surprising Offensive Cut
Also on Tuesday August 26, the 49ers cut wide receiver Russell Gage in a surprising move.
https://x.com/MaioccoNBCS/status/1960433958757503237
Gage, 29, seemed like a strong candidate to make the 49ers’ 53-man roster amidst so many injuries to their receiving corps. Instead, he will likely be headed back to the 49ers practice squad, where he spent the 2024 season. Perhaps his knee injury is worse than the 49ers initially thought.
Isaiah Hodgins and Robbie Chosen were also cut by the 49ers, and Demarcus Robinson’s suspension was announced. Meanwhile, Jacob Cowing is probably going to be on injured reserve. Jauan Jennings is in a contract dispute, and Brandon Aiyuk and Jordan Watkins are still hurt. So who do the 49ers even have at wide receiver?
Beyond Ricky Pearsall and Skyy Moore, it’s a big question mark for the first few weeks at that position for San Francisco.
What they’re going to do about that position is going to become clear in the next few days after more moves are made. More moves are certainly coming.
49ers fans, are you sad to see Jeff Wilson Jr. cut? Do you hope he is added to the practice squad?
Also, what in the world do you think the 49ers doing at wide receiver?
