The San Francisco 49ers are back in Santa Clara, and roster moves are about set to happen. Head coach Chip Kelly announced on Monday that wide receiver Quinton Patton, inside linebacker Nick Bellore, and tight end Blake Bell are all done for the season. Patton suffered a foot injury, Bellore suffered an elbow injury, and Bell suffered a shoulder injury.
The 49ers also lost Jimmie Ward, Marcus Martin, and Glenn Dorsey to injuries. Kelly did not have updates on them, but something more will be known after Kelly meets with the team’s training staff Monday afternoon.
The 49ers will sign free agents and likely promote players from the practice squad to fill openings on the roster. With Patton out and Torrey Smith missing practice all last week due to a concussion, we might see Jeremy Kerley, Aaron Burbridge, Chris Harper, and Rod Streater getting the bulk of the receiver work this Sunday. I wouldn’t mind seeing a little bit of DeAndre Smelter, who is currently on the practice squad.
Bellore’s absence will be interesting in light of the decision to deactivate Gerald Hodges in Week 15. I imagine Hodges will be back, but if not, they need to add a linebacker with Michael Wilhoite as the only healthy inside linebacker on the 53-man roster.
As for tight end, Bell joins Vance McDonald as tight ends on IR. That leaves Garrett Celek and Je’Ron Hamm. I imagine they will be signing a tight end in the next day or two.