HEADLINES

Fou Fonoti

49ers Sign Philip Wheeler

April 30th, 2015 at 2:28pm CST by Zachary Links

The 49ers announced that they have signed linebacker Philip Wheeler. In related moves, the team also released wide receiver Trindon Holliday and waived guard Fou Fonoti and wide receiver Lance Lewis.

Wheeler, 30, has spent time with the Colts, Raiders, and Dolphins over the course of his seven-year career. In total, he has played in 108 games (60 starts) and has registered 455 tackles, 5.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. In 2013 with the Dolphins, he led the team with a career-high 118 tackles. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) rated Wheeler as the 18th best outside linebacker in a 3-4 set last season, giving him an overall grade of 2.6.

Holiday, a kick return specialist, appeared in the team’s season finale against the Cardinals and returned three kickoffs for 83 yards. Fonoti never saw the field for the Niners after being placed on IR in late July. Lewis, meanwhile, spent the 2014 season on SF’s taxi squad before signing a reserve/future deal in December 2014.

Minor Moves: Wednesday

July 30th, 2014 at 5:45pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are today’s minor transactions from around the NFL, with the latest moves added to the top of the list throughout the day:

  • Quarterback Kory Faulkner, waived Tuesday by the 49ers, cleared waivers and is now free to sign with any team, tweets Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. Guard Fou Fonoti cleared waivers as well and now reverts to SF’s injured reserve.
  • The Browns have signed offensive lineman Ryan Lee, the team announced today (via Twitter). By our count, Cleveland had three openings on its roster, so the club won’t need to waive anyone.
  • Wide receiver Gerrard Sheppard, who spent most of last season the Ravens’ practice squad, was claimed off waivers by the Packers today after being cut by Baltimore, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Green Bay had an open spot on its 90-man roster, so no corresponding move is necessary.
  • In order to make room for McDonough, whose signing is noted below, the Redskins have waived-injured former Hampton cornerback Courtney Bridget, Jay Gruden confirmed today (Twitter link via Zac Boyer of the Washington Times).

Earlier updates:

  • Defensive linemen Cody Larsen and Will Pericak have signed with the Broncos, the team announced today (link via the Denver Post). Both players’ NFL experience is limited to preseason action and time spent on practice squads. The moves increase Denver’s roster count to 89, leaving one additional opening.
  • With a couple defensive backs banged up in camp, the Buccaneers have added some depth by signing cornerback Kip Edwards, who went undrafted in 2013 and has spent time with the Browns, Bills, and Vikings (Twitter link via Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com). The club used the spot vacated by recently released guard Carl Nicks to fit Edwards onto the 90-man roster.
  • The Redskins have signed defensive tackle Jake McDonough, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. So far, the move has been confirmed by McDonough’s agent, but not the team — when it becomes official, Washington should have to cut a player to make room.

49ers Sign Seven UDFAs, Cut Three Players

May 12th, 2014 at 7:33pm CST by Rob DiRe

The 49ers have signed seven rookie free agents to contracts, according to the teams official website. They released three players to make room for the additions.

The three players released were linebacker Darius Fleming, cornerback Dax Swanson, and receiver DeMarco Sampson.

Here’s the full list of the team’s UDFA signings:

  • Morgan Breslin, LB, USC ($5K bonus and $2.5K in other guarantees, per Matt Maiocco)
  • Asante Cleveland, TE, Miami
  • Dillon Farrell, C, New Mexico ($5K bonus)
  • Kory Faulkner, QB, Southern Illinois ($3K bonus)
  • Fou Fonoti, OT, Michigan State ($5K bonus)
  • L.J. McCray, S, Catawba ($6K bonus)
  • Shayne Skov, LB, Stanford ($7.5K bonus and $2.5K in other guarantees)