Brayden Willis - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

49ers rookie receiver De'Zhaun Stribling to miss about 10 weeks after undergoing ankle surgery

San Francisco 49ers rookie receiver De’Zhaun Stribling is expected to miss at least two months after undergoing surgery on his injured left ankle

SEPTEMBER 16 • Associated Press

Signed to Niners' active roster The 49ers signed Willis from the practice squad to the active roster Tuesday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Willis will occupy the spot on the 53-man roster vacated by Alfred Collins (knee, IR). The former's addition to the active roster provides extra depth at tight end, with Jake Tonges expected to be sidelined for an extended period of time due to a knee injury he sustained in the 49ers' Week 1 win over the Rams. Willis has appeared in 23 regular-season games since being selected by the 49ers in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft, with the Oklahoma product mostly serving as a contributor on special teams and as an occasional blocker on offense.

SEPTEMBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

Signs with San Francisco's practice squad The 49ers signed Willis to the practice squad Sunday.

Impact The 49ers' seventh-round pick from 2023 will return to the team's practice squad shortly before the beginning of the regular season. Willis has played in 23 games for the 49ers, logging 85 offensive snaps and 358 special teams snaps.

SEPTEMBER 7 • ROTOWIRE

Waived by 49ers San Francisco waived Willis on Saturday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Impact Willis suffered a concussion during the 49ers' preseason finale versus Las Vegas on Aug. 27, but he was able to practice this week. However, San Francisco has decided to cut the tight end ahead of Thursday's regular-season opener versus the Rams in Melbourne, Australia. That may be an indication that starter George Kittle (Achilles) is trending toward playing, though Willis could also end up on the practice squad and be elevated for Thursday, if needed.

SEPTEMBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

Practices Tuesday Willis (concussion) participated in Tuesday's practice, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Impact It's a positive sign for Willis, who entered the league's concussion protocol during the 49ers' preseason finale against the Raiders this past Thursday. Even if he fully participates in practice, he'll remain in the league's protocol until cleared by an independent neurologist. The fourth-year pro made the 49ers' 53-man roster as a depth option at tight end behind George Kittle (Achilles), Jake Tonges and Luke Farrell.

SEPTEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Won't return Thursday Willis (concussion) has been ruled out for the remainder of Thursday's preseason matchup with the Raiders, Noah Furtado of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Impact The tight end caught one pass for seven yards before leaving the game. The 2023 seventh-round pick is fighting for a roster spot with backups Jake Tonges and Luke Farrell, though he has seen action in each of the last three seasons with the 49ers, playing more on special teams than offense.

AUGUST 28 • ROTOWIRE

George Kittle injury gives forgotten tight end 1 final hope to stick with 49ers Brayden Willis had promise coming out of Oklahoma, but the fringe tight end hasn't done much since, and the 49ers may soon run out of patien...

AUGUST 1 • NINERNOISE.COM

49ers 2026 roster ranking: No. 67 can sneak onto 53-man roster The 67th most important player on the San Francisco 49ers 2026 roster is fourth-year tight end Brayden Willis

JUNE 18 • SI.COM

Signs to active roster The 49ers elevated Willis from the practice squad to the active roster.

Impact Willis was active in seven regular-season games for San Francisco in 2025, playing 98 snaps on special teams and 13 on offense. The 26-year-old will likely be a depth option for the 49ers' playoff matchup against the Seahawks, behind Luke Farrell and Jake Tonges as they take over for George Kittle (Achilles)

JANUARY 14 • ROTOWIRE

49ers open practice window for Fred Warner, eyeing his return for NFC title game

The San Francisco 49ers have opened the practice window for linebacker Fred Warner, hoping he can return if they reach the NFC title game

JANUARY 13 • Associated Press

Reverts to practice squad Willis reverted to the 49ers' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.

Impact Willis was elevated to the active roster ahead of Sunday night's 42-38 win over the Bears. The tight end helped fill in for George Kittle (ankle), but he logged just one snap on offense, far behind Jake Tonges (50), Luke Farell (27) in offensive snaps. Willis was able to secure one tackle while playing 24 snaps with the special-teams unit. If Kittle remains sidelined Saturday against the Seahawks, Willis could be elevated again for the team's final regular-season contest.

DECEMBER 30, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Elevated for Week 17 The 49ers elevated Willis from the practice squad to the active roster ahead of Sunday's game against the Bears.

Impact Willis has played in five games for the 49ers this season, totalling 12 offensive snaps and 74 special teams snaps in the contests. The tight end was on the active roster for three of those games and was elevated for the remaining two, making the Week 17 elevation his third and final of the 2025 season. If the team would like to use Willis for Week 18 or in the playoffs, they will have to sign him to the active roster.

DECEMBER 27, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Staying with Niners on PS The 49ers signed Willis to the practice squad Monday.

Impact Willis was waived by the 49ers' active roster Saturday in order to make room on the roster for George Kittle, who was activated from injured reserve. Willis has opted to stay in San Francisco as a member of the team's practice squad after clearing waivers, and he could be elevated to the active roster should the 49ers require depth at tight end.

OCTOBER 20, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Let go by San Francisco The 49ers waived Willis on Saturday.

Impact Willis was signed to the active roster in mid-September to give the 49ers added depth at tight end after George Kittle was placed on injured reserve due to a torn hamstring he sustained against the Seahawks in Week 1. With Kittle activated from IR on Saturday, Willis is no longer needed on the 49ers' active roster, though the latter could remain in San Francisco and sign with the team's practice squad.

OCTOBER 19, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Let go by San Francisco The 49ers waived Willis on Saturday.

Impact Willis was signed to the active roster in mid-September to give the 49ers added depth at tight end after George Kittle was placed on injured reserve due to a torn hamstring he sustained against the Seahawks in Week 1. With Kittle reinstated from IR on Saturday, Willis is no longer needed on the 49ers' active roster, though the latter could remain in San Francisco and sign with the team's practice squad.

OCTOBER 19, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

49ers activate star tight end George Kittle from injured reserve ahead of Falcons game

The San Francisco 49ers have activated star tight end George Kittle from injured reserve

OCTOBER 18, 2025 • Associated Press

49ers QB Brock Purdy returns to practice, could play Sunday against Arizona

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy returned to practice on Wednesday after missing a game with a toe injury

SEPTEMBER 17, 2025 • Associated Press

Bumps to active roster The 49ers signed Willis to the active roster from the practice squad Wednesday.

Impact Willis takes the roster spot of Ben Bartch, who San Francisco placed on IR on Wednesday. With George Kittle (hamstring) also on IR until at least Week 6, Willis is positioned to contribute in a reserve role at tight end versus the Cardinals on Sunday, and beyond.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to practice squad Willis reverted to the 49ers' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.

Impact Willis failed to reel in his only target while playing six offensive snaps in Sunday's 26-21 win over the Saints. The tight end is eligible to be elevated to the active roster two more times before the 49ers would have to sign him to the active roster.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Back with active roster Willis was elevated from the 49ers' practice squad to the active roster Saturday.

Impact The 2023 seventh-round pick from Oklahoma remained with San Francisco's practice squad after missing the active roster in late August, and he'll suit up for the first time this season Sunday. With George Kittle (hamstring) sidelined for the next four games at least, Willis could remain with the 49ers' active roster for the foreseeable future and serve as the No. 3 tight end.

SEPTEMBER 13, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

49ers cut Jake Moody, place George Kittle on injured reserve

The San Francisco 49ers have waived kicker Jake Moody after he missed two field goals in the season opener

SEPTEMBER 9, 2025 • Associated Press

49ers GM John Lynch refuses to trade Jauan Jennings despite his request

The San Francisco 49ers have decided not to trade receiver Jauan Jennings, despite his request earlier this summer

AUGUST 27, 2025 • Associated Press

Remains in SF on practice squad Willis signed with San Francisco's practice squad Wednesday.

Impact Willis will supply organizational depth behind George Kittle, Luke Farrell and Jake Tonges, who made the 53-man roster. Since being selected in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the 49ers, Willis has appeared in 17 regular-season games without logging a target.

AUGUST 27, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Waived by San Francisco The 49ers waived Willis on Tuesday.

Impact Willis played 17 games for the 49ers since being drafted in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft, but he mostly worked in a special-teams role and was targeted just twice. He began the 2024 season on the practice squad but was eventually promoted, so he'll look to work his way onto the active roster again this year.

AUGUST 27, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

49ers Tight Ends Hit the Field at 2025 Tight End University San Francisco 49ers tight ends George Kittle, Luke Farrell, Brayden Willis, and Mason Pline represent the 49ers at the fifth annual offseaso...

JUNE 26, 2025 • 49ERS.COM

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