49ers sign TE Brayden Willis to practice squad

The San Francisco 49ers announced on Sunday that they have signed tight end Brayden Willis to their practice squad a day after waiving him to make room for long snapper Jon Weeks on the 53-man roster. The former Oklahoma Sooner was one of several players competing for roster spots during training camp and the preseason. Willis made the initial 53-man roster out of camp, but his spot was needed to bring back Weeks. The veteran long snapper had initially been released on August 30 before rejoining the team on the practice squad the following day.

Willis, a 2023 7th-round pick, has appeared in 23 regular-season games for the 49ers. He had a good preseason, but Willis has yet to make any kind of impact in a game that actually counts. In his 23 games played, Willis has been targeted in the passing game only three times. He has zero catches in his NFL career.

So far, the tight end has mostly played on special teams. In his career, Willis has 10 special teams tackles. That is likely where he will see most of his action whenever he gets elevated this season. Willis appeared in six games for the 49ers last season.