The 49ers may have found a special teams answer in Brandong Codrington, and the timing of the move makes it even more interesting.
San Francisco added Codrington to the practice squad after he spent the previous two seasons with the Buffalo Bills. His defensive production is modest on paper, but the return game is where he stands out. He was an all-rookie returner, and that matters now because Jacob Cowing, the 49ers’ returner, was working on the side of practice on Monday while recovering from a groin injury.
That connection is hard to miss. If Cowing isn’t ready for Week 1, the return job would likely fall to Deebo Samuel and Jordan Watkins. Samuel has already shown he can handle the role well, but he may be needed more on offense after the injuries the team has taken at the position over the past month.
For now, the decision sits with special teams coordinator Brant Boyer. He has seen both Watkins and Codrington return, and he also watched Codrington turn in an explosive return during his time with the Jets. In that season, Codrington posted multiple returns that helped push him into the top 5 in both punt and kickoff return average.
That’s a different level of impact than what the 49ers have seen from Watkins in a smaller sample size.
The team can elevate Codrington from the practice squad up to three times. If he makes enough of an impression, San Francisco would have to sign him to the active roster. If not, the hope is that Cowing gets healthy and takes the job back.
This is the kind of move the 49ers have made before. They bought low on Skyy Moore last year and got a payoff.
They did the same with Tashaun Gipson a few years ago, and that wound up being one of the most important moves of the year. Now they’re hoping Codrington can follow that same path.
In Other News...
49ers Suddenly Have A Bigger Brandon Aiyuk Problem Than Ever
The 49ers moved to settle their roster on Tuesday, but Brandon Aiyuk remained the name hanging over the room. General manager John Lynch confirmed the wide receiver is not currently on the active roster after San Francisco left him off the final 53-man roster and placed him on the reserve/left squad list, a move that underlined just how unusual this situation has become for a player who has been one of the offenses biggest pieces.
Aiyuk also has not taken part in offseason workouts or training camp, which has only added to the uncertainty around his future in Santa Clara. Public chatter has linked him to the Washington Commanders, but no official move has followed, leaving the 49ers with a high-profile issue still unresolved as the season picture comes into focus. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Could Need Immediate Week 1 Help From Unexpected Veterans
The 49ers are already looking past the initial roster trim and into Week 1 depth planning, with defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo and wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge reportedly joining the practice squad. It is the kind of early-season move that says as much about health as it does about talent, especially with San Francisco getting ready for its opener against the Los Angeles Rams and needing enough reliable bodies to cover important snaps on both sides of the ball.
Okoronkwo and Hodge bring the sort of veteran experience that can matter quickly if the 49ers have to shuffle pieces before the opener, and both could end up on the game day roster right away because of injury concerns at their positions. Undrafted players Wesley Grimes and Khalil Dinkins were also mentioned in the mix, giving San Francisco a little more flexibility as it tries to get through the first week with its depth chart still settling into place. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Add Under-The-Radar Depth With One Week 1 Question
The 49ers kept adding to their depth picture after the opening roster decisions, turning to a practice squad group that brings a mix of experience and upside. Ogbo Okoronkwo gives San Francisco a veteran edge presence with seven years in the league, while Khalil Dinkins and Wesley Grimes arrive as recent undrafted free agents looking to carve out a foothold in the organization.
KhaDarel Hodge is the most familiar name in the group for fans who follow special teams and receiver depth, since he has already spent time with the Falcons. For a team that always has to manage the grind of a long season, these are the kinds of low-profile additions that can matter quickly, even if the bigger question around the Week 1 roster is still only beginning to take shape. [Read more 🡒]