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The San Francisco 49ers have numerous players on their various exempt (injured and suspended) roster lists, with groups of players at different stages toward their potential return. As was suggested earlier in the week, I have decided to put together a rundown of all the various players, where they currently stand, and what deadlines the team faces with regard to each.
One note: I was under the impression the PUP and NFI returns to practice and the roster had to happen no later than the Monday after Week 11 and Monday after Week 14, respectively. However, with the 49ers first practice session each week set for Tuesday (a walkthrough), the team might not announce the decision until that day. Just something to keep in mind.
Suspended
Aldon Smith: The NFL officially reinstated Smith on Tuesday, November 11 from his 9-game suspension. The NFL gave the 49ers a one-week roster exemption, which means they did not immediately have to clear a roster spot. They have until November 17 to do that. All expectations are that Smith will play Sunday against the New York Giants, so look for the official move to come on Saturday. They will wait because then they know exactly how their injury report shakes out.
Injured Reserve with return designation
Glenn Dorsey: The 49ers placed Dorsey on the injured reserve with return designation heading into Week 1, and activated his 21-day practice window two weeks ago, on Tuesday, October 28. The 49ers have until Tuesday November 18 to either activate Dorsey to the 53-man roster, or place him on season-ending injured reserve. When they make that decision, they will have to have an open roster spot.
PUP
NaVorro Bowman: The 49ers have not yet activated his 21-day practice window. They have until next Tuesday, November 18 to bring him back to practice for their weekly walk-through. Bowman was doing cutting drills last week, and reportedly had an MRI on Wednesday. There is no word on the results of the MRI. Jim Harbaugh made it out to be part of the routine of getting him back to practice, but ESPN's Ed Werder reported Bowman told him he still had some pain in his knee. My guess is the 49ers bring him back to practice next week at the deadline, and then take the full 21 days to get him back onto the 53-man roster. If they activate him to the practice window next week, they would have until Tuesday, December 9 to activate him to the 53-man roster.
Garrett Celek: The 49ers have not activated his 21-day practice window. Back in early August, Jim Harbaugh said he was dealing with some kind of disc issue, but we have heard nothing since. They have until next Tuesday, November 18 to get him back to practice or place him on season-ending injured reserve.
Kaleb Ramsey: The 49ers activated his practice window this past Tuesday. They have until Tuesday, December 2 to decide to activate him to the 53-man roster, or place him on season-ending injured reserve. There is no word on what they plan on doing with Ramsey.
NFI
Trey Millard: The 49ers activated his practice window this past Tuesday. They have until Tuesday, December 2 to decide to activate him to the 53-man roster, or place him on season-ending injured reserve. There is no word on what they plan on doing with Millard.
Keith Reaser: The 49ers have not activated his 21-day practice window. They have until next Tuesday, November 18 to get him back to practice or place him on season-ending injured reserve. The 49ers will eventually place him on season-ending injured reserve, but they might activate their practice window to get them some time in walk throughs. They did this last year with Marcus Lattimore and Luke Marquardt.
Brandon Thomas: The 49ers have not activated his 21-day practice window. They have until next Tuesday, November 18 to get him back to practice or place him on season-ending injured reserve. The 49ers will eventually place him on season-ending injured reserve, but they might activate their practice window to get them some time in walk throughs. They did this last year with Marcus Lattimore and Luke Marquardt.