SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- In a move that didn't register at all on the NFL Richter scale Tuesday morning, the San Francisco 49ers released linebacker Sean Porter.
The transaction came only about an hour after the Niners traded Vance McDonald to the Pittsburgh Steelers, but even if that move hadn't happened, nobody would have batted an eyelash at Porter's release.
However, it's worth noting here because it represents a little bit of a departure from what might have been expected in this, the first season where teams have to cut the roster from 90 to 53 in one fell swoop rather than in two separate groups.
The NFL changed that rule this year so teams no longer have to make a cut from 90 to 75 and then 75 to 53. Part of the logic behind that was so that teams resting their starters in the preseason finale didn't have to worry about running out of players should there be injuries. Likewise, it would give fringe players a chance to make another impression before cutdown day.
But there are other factors to consider, as well, which is why coach Kyle Shanahan and the Niners released Porter on Tuesday and could make more moves before Thursday's preseason finale against the Los Angeles Chargers.
"Once we know exactly who’s not going to play in this game, we’ve got to see all the people we need to play in this game," Shanahan said. "If there’s a number of people that we don’t feel have a chance to make the team and we don’t plan on playing them on Thursday, then we will let them go, give them a chance to go somewhere else. But, I won’t really be able to decide that until later tonight.”
Shanahan and the Niners got back from Minnesota in the wee hours of Monday morning, then spent the day going over the tape from the game against the Vikings. By Monday night, Shanahan and his staff and general manager John Lynch and his staff convened for meetings to discuss which players would play and which ones still need a longer look.
While having extra bodies around for the last preseason game can be enticing, there's also some risk involved. If a player with no chance of making the roster participates in additional practices or plays in a preseason game, there's always the possibility of a serious injury.
In the cold world of the NFL, most teams prefer not to have to pay out injury settlements, especially to guys who had no chance of making the roster or even the practice squad.
Still, it's a safe bet the Niners will spend most of Thursday's game with backups on the field. Although there are still competitions that need attention, Shanahan doesn't want to risk losing any of his key players in the last preseason game.
“We plan on sitting a number of guys," Shanahan said. "Not saying that’s going to be all starters. There’s certain people we need to see more on that we’re trying to figure out who this 53 is. There’s some guys we want to rest to just make sure they’re healthy because they are a little banged up. Especially playing last night and having to get ready for an NFL game on Thursday. I know for sure we’re going to sit a number of people, most of the starters, but it’s always hard to sit all of them.”