49ers roster cuts: Does Trey Millard release mean anything for Bruce Miller?

When the San Francisco 49ers cut down to 75 players, there were few surprises. One name that caught my eye was fullback Trey Millard, a player who hasn't seen much playing time with the team but who has been around for a little bit, listed as the backup fullback behind Bruce Miller.

If I close my eyes and try my hardest to call up an image of Millard actually playing for the 49ers, nothing really comes up, but I've never heard a bad word said of him and just assumed the 49ers liked what he brought to the table. Releasing him in roster cuts doesn't mean they don't like what he does, but given Miller's offseason issues I think it's a little surprising he was in the first round of cuts.

Miller, as you're probably aware, pleaded no contest in June to a misdemeanor domestic-violence charge. Miller maintains he did not touch his fiancee during the incident that occurred, and did admit to throwing her phone during an argument. He is currently going through a domestic violence program and will be sentenced at the conclusion of it. It seems likely he'll end up with probation of some sort.

Prior to pleading no contest, he was excused from the 49ers to sort through his legal issues. Said legal issues are basically done at this stage, and he's back with the team. The NFL is still investigating, however, and could take action in the form of some kind of suspension. I'm not sure what kind of suspension would be in line with the facts of Miller's case, but I do have to wonder if the 49ers aren't expecting anything in the immediate future.

Releasing Millard doesn't guarantee that by any means. The 49ers seem like they're going to roll with a fullback less and less this year, and they've been experimenting with multiple tight ends filling the position throughout the preseason. It seems likely someone like Vance McDonald could step into the fullback role if Miller does miss any time, but it's worth thinking about given Millard's release in the first wave of roster cuts.