49ers activate rookies Darrell Luter, Corey Luciano ahead of Buccaneers game

The San Francisco 49ers announced on Saturday the following roster moves ahead of their Sunday matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers:

• Activated rookie CB Darrell Luter, Jr. from the PUP (physically unable to perform) List.
• Activated OL Corey Luciano from the practice squad (standard elevation).

Luter, a 2023 fifth-round draft pick, was placed on the PUP list on July 18, before training camp even began. Luter impressed coaches during the offseason program. His practice window was opened on November 6, giving the team three weeks to decide whether or not to add him to the active roster or shut him down for the season. Luter appears to have shown the coaches enough to warrant his activation.

Luter was among three injured players for whom the 49ers opened the practice window. DE Robert Beal and CB Samuel Womack were the other two. Head Coach Kyle Shanahan was asked about the three players on Friday and told reporters, "They're coming along well. They've had two good weeks. It's nice to have them at practice. It's been nice having them this week. They've got another week left. Unfortunately, that week isn't the best week, being a Thursday night game. So yesterday was their main full-speed practice, but still got another week with them."

Shanahan continued, "They're all showing that they're healthy enough to play and stuff. It's getting back into it and having to figure out the roster with those guys."

WR Danny Gray is the only player awaiting his return, but the 49ers have not yet opened his practice window. Shanahan gave an update on Gray, saying, "Danny's good to go. He's getting right there. He's in that same situation. We'll see how it goes with these numbers, but I think he's right around now able to come back and help us, so we'll see when we need him with the numbers."

Luciano, an undrafted rookie, is being promoted from the practice squad for the first time this season. The offensive lineman appeared in 35 games in his four years at the University of Washington. In 2022, Luciano received Third-Team All-Pac 12 honors after starting all 13 games at center for the Huskies

The 49ers announced earlier this week that right guard Aaron Banks is out for the game due to a turf toe injury. Guard Nick Zakelj was also been ruled out after undergoing season-ending surgery to repair a torn biceps.