The San Francisco 49ers, as expected, have their return man back in time for the playoffs.Kyle Shanahan confirmed on Friday that Ray-Ray McCloud would be activated back to the 53-man roster having been placed on injured reserve with a rib injury that saw him miss the last five games.
The Niners made that move on Saturday ahead of the 49ers’ regular-season finale with the Rams, with tight end Ross Dwelley placed on injured reserve in a corresponding move. Dwelley has missed the last four games with an ankle problem.
McCloud will resume kick and punt return duties and will be able to use the Week 18 encounter, which means nothing for the NFC one seed 49ers, to get back into the swing of things after a prolonged absence. His return shores up a part of the game that has been inconsistent during McCloud’s time on the sideline, with Ronnie Bell largely unconvincing catching and running back punts.
In addition to his special teams duties, McCloud will also get a chance to make an impact on offense, with Jauan Jennings downgraded and ruled out for a third straight game with a concussion.
Jennings’ absence means that, when Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk exit the game, it will be McCloud, Bell and veteran Chris Conley shouldering the receiving burden.
With Dwelley out for the rest of the year, seventh-round rookie Brayden Willis is now 49ers’ third-string tight end, and he may have a significant role to play in Week 18.
The 49ers downgraded fullback Kyle Juszczyk to questionable because of an illness. If he cannot play, Willis would be the most likely stand-in having taken snaps as a de-facto fullback during his college career at Oklahoma.
Safety Tayler Hawkins is set to make his 49ers’ regular-season debut after being elevated from the practice squad. He will likely start next to veteran Logan Ryan. Starting safeties Tashaun Gipson and Ji’Ayir Brown are both out and Jason Verrett’s season-ending shoulder injury means Isaiah Oliver will have to focus on the nickel position rather than pivoting to safety.
Running back Jeremy McNichols has also been elevated with starter Christian McCaffrey ruled out.
Wideout Danny Gray has been downgraded to out, his potential activation from injured reserve looking increasingly unlikely.
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