49ers sign C/G Spencer Long; waive DL Alex Barrett

Kyle’s update, 10:05 a.m. PT: The 49ers officially signed Spencer Long Thursday morning. To create space, they waived DL Alex Barrett, who was re-signed on August 2 after being waived on July 30.

San Francisco 49ers signed C/G Spencer Long, who was drafted in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft by Washington. The Bills released Long on August 4. He spent 2018 with the Jets, where Long started 13 games. The previous four years of Long’s career were spent in Washington.

Signing Long gives the Niners a veteran presence with starting center Weston Richburg starting the season on the PUP list and Jake Brendel opting out. Long has started 44 games in his career. Long has started at both guard and center. San Francisco has youth inside with Daniel Brunskill and Colton McKivitz, and Long offsets that. As a starter in ‘18, Long’s PFF grade was 47.1. He’s played over 300 snaps in ‘15 and ‘16 as well, where Long graded as a 74.5 and 71.0, respectively.

The 49ers roster currently sits at 78, so the team may add two more players.