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49ers Add Two Former Patriots as San Francisco Reshapes Practice Squad
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- 49ers Add Two Former Patriots as San Francisco Reshapes Practice Squad
The San Francisco 49ers continue to reshape their practice squad as the team prepares for the pivotal stretch run of the season.
With injuries mounting and roster needs shifting, the 49ers have turned to two familiar names around the league, both of whom previously spent time with the New England Patriots .
San Francisco has officially added wide receiver Javon Baker and cornerback Isaiah Bolden to its practice squad, giving the team an infusion of young talent and depth at two important positions.
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The moves come during a busy personnel week for San Francisco.
After opening the practice window for quarterback Kurtis Rourke , the team released Adrian Martinez , who returned to the New York Jets .
With kicker Eddy Pineiro returning to practice, the 49ers no longer require veteran Matt Gay , freeing up additional roster flexibility.
Baker filled one of those practice-squad slots earlier in the week, and the team completed the revamp late Wednesday morning by signing Bolden.
Baker, a fourth-round pick by the Patriots in 2023, appeared in 11 games as a rookie, recording one catch for 12 yards on four targets.
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Despite that minimal production, his physical tools intrigued multiple teams following his release from New England in late August.
He later joined the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad before being cut again in October.
The 49ers' decision to bring him in is not viewed as a short-term fix for the 2024 season but as a long-term evaluation opportunity.
With the offseason approaching, San Francisco wants extra time to assess whether Baker is a fit for their future roster.
Bolden, meanwhile, brings rare athletic upside to the cornerback room.
Drafted by the Patriots in the seventh round in 2023, he appeared in 14 NFL games, posting nine tackles and one tackle for loss while allowing only three receptions for 23 yards on seven targets in 2024.
Though used sparingly, he showed promising flashes in tight coverage.
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At 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, Bolden offers an intriguing blend of size and speed.
His pro-day numbers at Jackson State were eye-opening: a 4.31 40-yard dash, 38-inch vertical, and 10-foot-9 broad jump.
Initially a Florida State recruit before transferring to Jackson State, Bolden was with the Patriots as recently as training camp before being released on August 22.
For the 49ers, these signings represent low-risk, developmental additions, classic late-season moves by a team planning both for the present and the future.
With two former Patriots now in the fold, San Francisco is giving itself more options while reinforcing the practice squad with athletic, moldable talent.
