49ers WR Ricardo Lockette, who played for Seattle last year, may be elevated from the practice squad to the active roster. (US Presswire) |
The San Francisco 49ers announced RB Jewel Hampton has been activated from the non-football injury list to the 53-man roster.
It was a corresponding roster move after the team placed WR Kyle Williams (ACL tear) and RB Kendall Hunter (Achilles tear) on the injured reserve list Tuesday. Hampton had been on the NFI list since Aug. 27 and the 49ers had until Tuesday to retain his rights by placing him on the 53-man roster.
The moves leave a spot on the roster to be filled before Sunday’s game at St. Louis.
If the 49ers decide to replace Williams with another WR, practice squad member Ricardo Lockette would be the likely candidate.
Lockette said he thought the decision could come as early as Tuesday afternoon.
“I’ll just have my fingers crossed and be ready,” Lockette said. “I’ve been studying and preparing myself for a day like this or if a day like this comes in the future.”
Lockette was signed to the practice squad Sept. 25. He was with Seattle last season and was on the Seahawks’ practice squad until being released Sept. 18. He said the message has been clear since he signed with the 49ers: Be ready.
“Every single day,” he said. “I think I hear it from a player or a coach or someone in administration every single day, every single day.”
Lockette appeared in two games for Seattle last season and caught two passes for 105 yards and a TD.
“I have all the confidence in the world in myself,” Lockette said. “If I don’t have it, no one will. I look forward to the opportunity if it presents itself this time or in the future.”
WR Hall a potential 53-man option: Chad Hall, who was signed to the practice squad Tuesday, is another option for the 53-man roster. Hall spent the previous two seasons jumping between the active roster and practice squad for the Philadelphia Eagles. In his two seasons, he caught 14 passes for 135 yards and 2 TDs. He also had 12 carries for 42 yards.
Hall had been in Atlanta working out when he got a call from his agent on Monday.
“Unfortunately, they had some injuries this weekend and [I] got a call yesterday morning. They wanted to bring me out, get me through the physicals and get me on the squad,” Hall said. “I’ve been training. I had a workout or two, just had been religiously training, waiting for something like this to happen.”
Hall was unclear what his role would be but said he expected to learn more after meeting with the coaches Tuesday.
“It’s a good group, everyone I’ve walked by has introduced themselves,” Hall said. “So, it seems like a really good locker room and really good chemistry. I’m looking forward to being a part of it.”
He was originally recruited to play quarterback at the Air Force Academy, but switched to running back in his sophomore year and also played receiver in the Falcons’ triple-option offense.
To make room for Hall, the team released practice squad S Eddie Whitley.
LB Michael Wilhoite, too: If the team is looking to beef up its special teams units, practice squad LB Michael Wilhoite would be an option, too. Whoever it is, that player would be unlikely to play, so it'd signify a pay bump more than anything.
Akers' job in jeopardy? K David Akers' struggles this season apparently have the team concerned. The 49ers worked out veterans Billy Cundiff and Nate Kaeding at the facility Tuesday morning, CBSSports.com confirmed.
Akers ranks 29th in the NFL in FG percentage (19 of 27) and was 1 of 3 in Sunday's win at New Orleans.
Kaeding is the most accurate kicker in NFL history with a minimum of 70 attempts. He was released by the Chargers in October after a groin injury forced the team to switch to Nick Novak. Kaeding was 7 of 7 on FG attempts in three games before the injury.
Follow 49ers reporter Kyle Bonagura on Twitter @CBS49ers and @KyleBonagura.