The 49ers on Saturday made their initial cuts to reach the 53-player roster limit:
Quarterback (2)
Colin Kaepernick
Blaine Gabbert
(It's no surprise the 49ers kept just two quarterbacks on the 53-man roster. They will add another quarterback to their 10-player practice squad, most likely Dylan Thompson.)
Running back (4)
Carlos Hyde
Reggie Bush
Mike Davis
Jarryd Hayne
(Kendall Hunter goes on injured reserve after he just didn't look right during training camp and the exhibition season. Although he led the 49ers in rushing during the exhibition season, Hayne made the team based on his play in the return game. That's his ticket to suiting up as one of the 49ers' top 46 players.)
Fullback (1)
Bruce Miller
(The 49ers were hoping to hear one way or the other on whether Miller would be subject to a suspension for a possible violation of the league's policy on personal conduct. But the NFL works on its own timetable.)
Wide receiver (5)
Anquan Boldin
Torrey Smith
Bruce Ellington
DeAndrew White
Quinton Patton
(No surprises here, as the top five was pretty clear cut. After six weeks, Jerome Simpson will be back after serving a suspension. So, more than likley, someone in this group will have to go.)
Tight end (4)
Vernon Davis
Garrett Celek
Blake Bell
Vance McDonald
(Again, the 49ers figure to use a lot of multi-TE formations. This position group came into focus quickly with the trades of Derek Carrier and Asante Cleveland. Rory Anderson will be stashed on injured reserve for his rookie season.)
Offensive line (9)
Joe Staley
Alex Boone
Erik Pears
Marcus Martin
Jordan Devey
Brandon Thomas
Trent Brown
Ian Silberman
Nick Easton
(The 49ers swing a cut-day trade with the Baltimore Ravens to acquire undrafted rookie Nick Easton. In essence, Easton took the spot on the roster that would've been filled by either Joe Looney or Dillon Farrell. The 49ers are hoping for Daniel Kilgore to make a mid-season return, at which time a roster spot must be created.)
Defensive line (7)
Glenn Dorsey
Ian Williams
Quinton Dial
Arik Armstead
Tank Carradine
Mike Purcell
Tony Jerod-Eddie
(The 49ers did not see the use in keeping Darnell Dockett at the expense of one of their younger players. That moves could open the door for rookie Arik Armstead to get on the field as part of the regular-season rotation.)
Outside linebacker (4)
Ahmad Brooks
Aaron Lynch
Eli Harold
Corey Lemonier
(The NFL did not find anything in its investigation of the Brooks incident to warrant a suspension with a spot on the commissioner's exempt list. Brooks was charged recently with misdemeanor sexual battery. The return of Brooks to full team activities is a huge lift to this otherwise inexperienced group.)
Inside linebacker (4)
NaVorro Bowman
Michael Wilhoite
Shayne Skov
Nick Bellore
(Of all the position groups, this one showcased the biggest surprise. Nick Moody was the starter alongside Bowman for the first two exhibition games. Once Wilhoite came back, Moody was still believed to be the top backup and a key special-teams contributor. Instead, Skov appears to have won the spot as the top backup, with Bellore filling the special-teams role.)
Cornerback (5)
Tramaine Brock
Shareece Wright
Keith Reaser
Kenneth Acker
Donte Johnson
(Brock is entrenched as one starter, but the other side remains unsettled. Each of the other four players has a chance at the starting job.)
Safety (5)
Antoine Bethea
Eric Reid
Jimmie Ward
Jaquiski Tartt
L.J. McCray
Each of these players has a chance to contribute on the 46-man active list, either on defense or in important special-teams roles.)
Specialists (3)
Phil Dawson
Bradley Pinion
Kyle Nelson
(This unit has been set since the offseason trade of Andy Lee to Cleveland. The only question is which player will handle the kickoff dutites.)
* * *
Injured reserve
RB Kendall Hunter (knee)
TE Busta Anderson (ankle)
WR Dres Anderson (knee)
Physically unable to perform
C Daniel Kilgore (leg)
Non-football injury
WR DeAndre Smelter (knee)
Reserve/suspended list
WR Jerome Simpson (six games; NFL policy on substances of abuse)
