The initial 53-man roster is rarely the definitive roster used by NFL teams. Lots of moves tend to come after, with players added to injured reserve and practice squad, often based on their experience in the league and whether or not they are subject to waivers.
The 49ers went through some of that procedural rigamarole to ensure that they could stash a couple promising, but injured young players, and have them return later in the season. Veterans, though, can be cut and brought back to the roster with relative ease.
That’s what happened on Wednesday. The following comes from the team:
The San Francisco 49ers today announced they have signed DL Austin Bryant and DL Kerry Hyder Jr. to one-year deals. In order to make room on the roster, the team placed DL Robert Beal Jr. and WR Danny Gray on the Injured Reserve List.
Bryant and Hyder Jr. were both released by the team on August 29, 2023.