Player Bio
| HT/WT: 6-4, 240 lbs |
| Birthplace: Arlington, TX |
| Age: 26 |
| School: Oklahoma |
| Experience: 3 |
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Top Brayden Willis News
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Brayden Willis: Signs with San Francisco's practice squad
The 49ers signed Willis to the practice squad Sunday.
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.
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Brayden Willis: Waived by 49ers
San Francisco waived Willis on Saturday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
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.
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49ers' Brayden Willis: Practices Tuesday
Willis (concussion) participated in Tuesday's practice, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
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.
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49ers' Brayden Willis: 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.
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 Willis has seen action in each of the last three seasons with the 49ers, primarily on special teams.
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49ers' Brayden Willis: Signs to active roster
The 49ers elevated Willis from the practice squad to the active roster.
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)
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Brayden Willis: Reverts to practice squad
Willis reverted to the 49ers' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.
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) and Luke Farrell (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.
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49ers' Brayden Willis: Elevated for Week 17
The 49ers elevated Willis from the practice squad to the active roster ahead of Sunday's game against the Bears.
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, it will have to sign him to the active roster.
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Brayden Willis: Staying with Niners
The 49ers signed Willis to the practice squad Monday.
Willis was waived by the 49ers roster Saturday in order to make room on the roster for fellow tight end 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 at any point down the road.
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Brayden Willis: Let go by San Francisco
The 49ers waived Willis on Saturday.
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.
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49ers' Brayden Willis: Bumps to active roster
The 49ers signed Willis to the active roster from the practice squad Wednesday.
Willis takes the roster spot of Ben Bartch, whom 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.
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Brayden Willis: Returns to practice squad
Willis reverted to the 49ers' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.
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.
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49ers' Brayden Willis: Back with active roster
Willis was elevated from the 49ers' practice squad to the active roster Saturday.
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 likely 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.
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Brayden Willis: Remains in SF on practice squad
Willis signed with San Francisco's practice squad Wednesday.
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.
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Brayden Willis: Waived by San Francisco
The 49ers waived Willis on Tuesday.
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.
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49ers' Brayden Willis: Signs tender Tuesday
Willis signed his exclusive rights free-agent tender with the 49ers on Tuesday.
Willis is now officially set to return for to San Francisco for the 2025 campaign after having been tendered earlier in the offseason. The tight end didn't make a catch in 10 regular-season games last season and will compete for a backup spot behind George Kittle.
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49ers' Brayden Willis: 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.
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.
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49ers' Brayden Willis: Inactive for Week 10
Willis (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against Tampa Bay.
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.
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