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Defensive lineman Demarcus Dobbs, who was a healthy scratch from Sunday’s game against the St. Louis Rams, was waived on Tuesday, the 49ers announced.
The 49ers did not announce a corresponding roster move to fill Dobbs’ spot on the 53-man roster. The only other transaction the 49ers made on Tuesday was the re-signing of cornerback Chance Casey to the practice squad.
The 49ers kept an open roster spot throughout last week. The team filled the spot on Saturday with the promotion of Leon McFadden to the 53-man roster. McFadden was in uniform but did not see any playing time in the 49ers’ 13-10 loss to the Rams on Sunday.
The 49ers could keep the roster spot open until outside linebacker Aldon Smith is reinstated from the NFL’s suspended list or nose tackle Glenn Dorsey is cleared for game action.
Smith has served eight games of the league-imposed nine-game suspension for violations of the NFL’s policies on substance abuse and personal conduct. The 49ers have received no information on whether Smith could be reinstated early. Dorsey, who remains on injured reserve/designated for return, began practice last week.
Dobbs’ roster spot is expendable due to Dorsey’s expected return and a couple of young reserves on the roster. Second-year player Quinton Dial saw action Sunday in place of Dobbs. The 49ers also have second-year player Tank Carradine on their 53-man roster, though he's been active for only one game this season.
Dobbs, 26, a third-year player, was active for six of the 49ers’ first eight games. His primary role was on special teams, but he was credited for 10 tackles in his reserve role on the defensive line. Dobbs originally signed with the 49ers in 2011 as an undrafted rookie from Georgia.
