Brayden Willis Injury News & Updates
Keep up with the latest injuries from the Panthers vs 49ers game on Monday with our National Football League injury report.Oct 20, 2025
Staying with Niners on PS
The 49ers signed Willis to the practice squad Monday.
ANALYSIS
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.
Oct 18, 2025
Let go by San Francisco
The 49ers waived Willis on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
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.
Sep 17, 2025
Bumps to active roster
The 49ers signed Willis to the active roster from the practice squad Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
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.
Sep 15, 2025
Returns to practice squad
Willis reverted to the 49ers' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.
ANALYSIS
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.
Sep 13, 2025
Back with active roster
Willis was elevated from the 49ers' practice squad to the active roster Saturday.
ANALYSIS
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.
Aug 27, 2025
Remains in SF on practice squad
Willis signed with San Francisco's practice squad Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
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.
Aug 26, 2025
Waived by San Francisco
The 49ers waived Willis on Tuesday.
ANALYSIS
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.
Apr 22, 2025
Signs tender Tuesday
Willis signed his exclusive rights free-agent tender with the 49ers on Tuesday.
ANALYSIS
Willis is now officially set to return for to San Francisco for the 2025 campaign after having been tendered earlier in the offseason. He didn't record any stats in 10 games last season and will spend the remainder of the offseason competing for a backup spot behind George Kittle.
Dec 18, 2024
No snaps on offense in Week 15
Willis played all 20 of his snaps on special teams in Thursday's 12-6 loss to the Rams.
ANALYSIS
The 49ers kept four tight ends active Thursday, but only two (George Kittle and Eric Saubert) saw snaps on offense, while Willis and Jake Tonges were limited to special-teams roles. Willis has suited up in seven games this season but has played just 10 total snaps on offense.
Nov 10, 2024
Inactive for Week 10
Willis (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against Tampa Bay.
ANALYSIS
Willis was signed to the 49ers' active roster Oct. 9 and played in Week 8 against the Cowboys, but he'll be a healthy scratch for Week 10. George Kittle, Eric Saubert and Jake Tonges will be the 49ers' three active tight ends for Sunday's game.
Oct 9, 2024
Receives promotion
Willis signed with the 49ers' active roster from their practice squad Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
Willis was only elevated from the practice squad once before in Week 3, so he was still eligible to be bumped up two more times. However, San Francisco will opt to sign the Oklahoma product to its active roster with the spot opened up by Talanoa Hufanga (wrist) being placed on IR.
Sep 23, 2024
Reverts to practice squad
Willis reverted to the 49ers' practice squad Monday, according to the NFL's transaction log.
ANALYSIS
The tight end played on four of 71 offensive snaps Sunday against the Rams, behind Eric Saubert's 61 and Jake Tonges' 16. Willis was elevated to the active roster with starter George Kittle out due to a hamstring injury. Willis does not have a catch in eight career regular-season appearances with the 49ers.
Sep 21, 2024
Elevated for Week 3
The 49ers elevated Willis from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
ANALYSIS
Willis was unable to make the 49ers' 53-man roster at the end of training camp, but he opted to stick around on the practice squad. With George Kittle (hamstring) ruled out for Sunday's game against the Rams, Willis will serve as the 49ers' No. 3 tight end behind Eric Saubert and Jake Tonges.
Aug 28, 2024
Staying with 49ers
The 49ers signed Willis to their practice squad Wednesday, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
ANALYSIS
Willis will stick around with the 49ers despite being waived Tuesday. The rookie undrafted free agent will look for an opportunity to be elevated for a regular season game at some point during the upcoming campaign.
Aug 27, 2024
Loses roster spot
Willis was waived by the 49ers on Tuesday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Willis appeared in seven regular-season games for San Francisco last year after he was selected in the seventh round of the 2023 Draft out of Oklahoma. However, that experience wasn't enough to keep him with the 49ers for now. He'll likely be a candidate for the practice squad if he doesn't find an opportunity elsewhere.
Sep 10, 2023
Won't make debut
Willis (coach's decision) is inactive Sunday against the Steelers.
ANALYSIS
Willis made the team after getting selected in the seventh round of the 2023 draft, but he still remains behind Ross Dwelley, Charlie Woerner, and of course, George Kittle on the team's tight-end depth chart.
Apr 29, 2023
Selected by Niners
The 49ers selected Willis in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft, 247th overall.
ANALYSIS
Willis doesn't stand out as a receiver, but he served as a do-everything H-Back for Oklahoma. Given the way San Francisco has used Kyle Juszczyk, it's not particularly surprising to see them select Willis late in the draft. He isn't likely to make an immediate impact, but Willis could ultimately emerge as a useful piece in the 49ers offense.
Apr 29, 2023
Selected by Niners
The 49ers selected Willis in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft, 247th overall.
ANALYSIS
Willis doesn't stand out as a receiver, but he served as a do-everything H-Back for Oklahoma. Given the way San Francisco has used Kyle Juszczyk, it's not particularly surprising to see them select Willis late in the draft. He isn't likely to make an immediate impact, but Willis could ultimately emerge as a useful piece in the 49ers offense.
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