The 49ers were forced to make a roster move Saturday, announcing that they have placed wide receiver and return man Ray-Ray McCloud on injured reserve. The 27-year-old will be forced to miss at least the next four weeks as he deals with a rib injury.
McCloud is in his second year with the 49ers after time with the Bills, Panthers and Steelers. His biggest year came in 2021 with Pittsburgh when he led the league in punt return yardage with 367 yards and finished with career-highs in kick return yards (776) and receiving yards (277). Despite being on the field for both special teams return units and offense, McCloud has only scored two career touchdowns. Both came last year for the 49ers with one coming through the air and one on the ground. This year, he’s continued his role as the team’s primary return man while also still playing a small role in the offense.
To fill his roster spot, San Francisco has signed practice squad receiver Chris Conley to the active roster. At 31 years old, the veteran wideout has failed to see extended action in the past two years. Conley has been elevated for gameday three times this year, the limit for a single practice squad contract. Though he found almost 20 snaps on offense, he has yet to register a target in 2023. Still, he has the vast experience as a supporting receiver to step up, should the team ask him to.
Additionally, the 49ers announced that safety Erik Harris and running back Jeremy McNichols will be called up as standard gameday elevations from the practice squad for tomorrow’s contest. Harris was called up last week in an effort to add depth at the position with injured starter Talanoa Hufanga out. McNichols, on the other hand, has not appeared in a game since his time with the Titans in 2021.
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