49ers waived/injured Kendall Hunter

The San Francisco 49ers took the first step to clearing a roster spot by waiving running back Kendall Hunter. They applied the waived/injured designation, which means if he clears waivers, he would either revert to their injured reserve list, or the team could agree to an injury settlement. An injury settlement is based on expected weeks absent, and since he tore his ACL, it would basically be a full season settlement.

Earlier today, we discussed this very issue, and I figured the team would wait until the 75-man cutdown for the free move to IR. Instead, they waive him now, which will open up a spot on their 90-man roster. My guess is they have decided they really need an extra body for the Ravens game. This team has dealt with quite a few injuries. Some like Hunter, Glenn Dorsey, and even LaMichael James are fairly serious. Others, like Michael Crabtree, Brandon Lloyd, Tramaine Brock, and a few others, are an issue, but less serious. The team is in a position where they simply need to add bodies to make it through the preseason.

Hunter was entering the final year of his contact, so this is not a complete shock. The team might still want that negotiating window with him on the roster, but it is probably not a huge concern. Given that he is entering his walk year, it would be a bit of a surprise to see someone grab him. But, you never know in the wacky world of the NFL.

And for those seeing this tweet, it's merely a coincidence.:

Carlos Hyde just walked off field with the team's head medical trainer. Looking at right hand. #49ers.

— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) August 4, 2014

Fooch's Update: Never mind

Medical update: #49ers RB Carlos Hyde has returned to practice. Hand issue obviously not serious.

— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) August 4, 2014