Latu signed with Cleveland's practice squad Thursday.
The 2023 third-round selection of the 49ers missed his entire rookie season due to a meniscus injury. Latu entered training camp competing for a depth role at tight end, and despite having a solid preseason in which he recorded eight catches (on 10 targets) for 84 yards, he was waived by San Francisco on Tuesday. David Njoku (undisclosed) and Jordan Akins are the only two tight ends on the Browns' active roster, and if either of them were to miss time, Latu would be a prime candidate to be elevated to the active roster.
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Cameron Latu: Waived by Niners
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The 49ers waived Latu on Tuesday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
The 2023 third-round pick missed his entire rookie season after suffering a meniscus injury last August, but he was busy this preseason with eight catches for 84 yards on 10 targets. It's possible Latu showed enough that another team will claim him on waivers. If not, the Niners might bring him back as a practice squad player.
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49ers' Cameron Latu: Catches all passes Friday
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Latu had three receptions on as many targets for 42 yards in Friday's preseason finale against Las Vegas.
Latu appeared in all three of San Francisco's exhibition contests this preseason, finishing with eight receptions (10 targets) for 84 yards. Despite the tight end's healthy debut this offseason, the front office still signed veteran Logan Thomas to enter the mix for snaps behind George Kittle this upcoming campaign. Latu possesses more fantasy upside than the team's other TE backups, but it sounds like the 2023 third-round selection will have to truly earn his way onto the club this season.
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49ers' Cameron Latu: Three catches in preseason win
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Latu corralled three of five targets for 30 yards in Sunday's 16-10 preseason victory over the Saints.
Latu caught a pair of balls in San Francisco's preseason opener and followed that up with another positive performance. This all follows a lengthy rehab from a torn meniscus that cost the 2023 third-round pick his entire rookie campaign. With consecutive healthy showings this exhibition season, Latu looks ready to officially make his debut with the 49ers. The Alabama product will compete with veteran Eric Saubert for one of the vacant roles backing George Kittle this upcoming season.
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49ers' Cameron Latu: Participating in training camp
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Latu (knee) opened 49ers training camp without an injury designation Tuesday, David Lombardi of The Athletic reports.
The 2023 third-round pick out of Alabama missed his entire rookie campaign after sustaining a meniscus injury in San Francisco's last preseason game. Latu appears to be past the injury, and he will battle Eric Saubert for the No. 3 tight end spot behind George Kittle and Logan Thomas.
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49ers' Cameron Latu: Progressing as planned
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Latu (knee) has suffered no setbacks in his recovery and is expected to be ready for training camp, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Latu suffered a meniscus injury during a preseason game last year and missed the entirety of his rookie campaign. A third-round selection in the 2023 Draft, Latu will likely be competing with veteran Eric Saubert for the 49ers' No. 3 spot on the team's depth chart at tight end behind George Kittle (groin) and the newly acquired Logan Thomas.
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49ers' Cameron Latu: Slated for surgery
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Latu will require surgery to repair a meniscus injury sustained in Friday's 23-12 preseason loss to the Chargers, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Latu figures to take at least four weeks to recover following successful meniscus surgery, likely meaning he will not be available until early October. The 49ers will now have the option to immediately place him on IR, which would sideline him for the entirety of the 2023 campaign, or the team can retain him on the initial 53-man roster and then place him on IR, which would allow him to return this coming season. The rookie third-round pick figured to compete for a primary reserve role behind George Kittle heading into the regular season, though this injury could significantly impact Latu's outlook even if he manages to return at some point in 2023.
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49ers' Cameron Latu: Week 1 role uncertain
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Latu may not immediately serve as George Kittle's (groin) top backup to begin the season after being the third tight end to enter San Francisco's first preseason game this past Sunday against the Raiders.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan started veteran backups Ross Dwelley and Charlie Woerner in place of Kittle in the 34-7 loss to the Raiders, opting to bring Latu in with the rest of the reserves. The rookie third-round pick out of Alabama handled the highest snap share of any tight end in the contest (45 percent) but also coughed up a drive-killing fumble on his lone reception. Latu will have to improve on a rocky exhibition debut in order to earn playing time in 2023.
