The San Francisco 49ers made a few notable moves to reshape their practice squad, adding a young receiver with upside while parting ways with a pair of recent additions.
Javon Baker Joins the Practice Squad
The headline move is the signing of wide receiver Javon Baker to the practice squad. Baker, a 6-foot-1, 202-pound wideout, was a fourth-round pick (110th overall) by the New England Patriots in the 2024 NFL Draft. While his rookie campaign in New England didn’t yield much production - just one catch for 12 yards across 11 games (one start) - the 23-year-old still brings intriguing potential.
Baker’s college résumé tells a more complete story of what he brings to the table. After starting his collegiate career at Alabama, he transferred to UCF, where he found his stride.
Over three seasons with the Knights, Baker appeared in 46 games (25 starts), racking up 117 receptions for 2,051 yards and 13 touchdowns. He showed he could stretch the field and win contested catches, traits that likely caught the 49ers’ attention.
After being released by New England in late August, Baker had a brief stint on the Philadelphia Eagles’ practice squad before being let go in mid-October. Now, he gets a fresh opportunity in San Francisco, where the 49ers are always on the lookout for depth and developmental talent at wide receiver - especially with the physical demands of a long season.
Kicker Matt Gay, Quarterback Adrian Martinez Released
To make room, the 49ers released kicker Matt Gay and quarterback Adrian Martinez from the practice squad.
Gay, who signed with the team on December 1, made the most of his limited window. He appeared in two games and was perfect on his opportunities, converting all four extra-point attempts and all four field goals. That kind of efficiency is exactly what you'd expect from a veteran like Gay, but with Jake Moody firmly entrenched as the starter, there just wasn’t a long-term spot for him on the roster.
As for Martinez, the former Nebraska and Kansas State quarterback joined the practice squad on November 18 and appeared in one game. While his time in the building was brief, he gave the 49ers an emergency option at a position where depth can become critical in a hurry.
Fred Warner Eyeing a Playoff Return
Beyond the roster shuffle, there’s a potentially massive development on the injury front - and it centers around one of the 49ers’ most vital pieces on defense.
Star linebacker Fred Warner, who suffered a fractured and dislocated right ankle in Week 6 against the Buccaneers, is pushing hard for a return during the postseason. According to Matt Barrows of The Athletic, Warner has ditched the crutches and walking boot, and was recently seen moving around the locker room - a promising sign for a player whose presence is felt on every snap.
“He’s gunning for a return during the playoffs,” Barrows said during a radio appearance. “I saw him in the locker room yesterday.
No crutches, no boot, nothing. He’s making progress.”
Barrows also noted that orthopedic surgeons he consulted suggested a typical recovery timeline of about 16 weeks - which would place Warner’s potential return somewhere in the heart of the NFL Playoffs. If the 49ers can secure a postseason berth and make a run, Warner’s return could be a game-changer for a defense that thrives on his leadership, sideline-to-sideline range, and elite instincts.
The Road Ahead
The 49ers have been navigating a season filled with injuries and lineup shuffling, but moves like today’s - adding a promising young receiver like Baker, staying flexible with the practice squad, and monitoring key injury recoveries - show that San Francisco is keeping the big picture in mind.
With the playoffs on the horizon and players like Fred Warner potentially returning to the fold, the 49ers are positioning themselves for a strong finish. The roster may look a little different week to week, but the goal remains the same: get healthy, stay sharp, and make a deep postseason push.