49ers activate WR Richie James Jr. off IR, flex 2 from practice squad
The 49ers on Saturday made a trio of roster moves ahead of their showdown with the Los Angeles Rams.
Wide receiver and kick returner Richie James Jr. was officially activated off the Injured Reserve list, and defensive lineman Darrion Daniels and wide receiver Kevin White were flexed off the practice squad.
James was placed on IR after Week 1 when he injured his hamstring. His practice window was opened last week, but he wasn’t healthy enough to play. He’ll likely resume kick and punt return duties which have been held by a combination of White, Trent Taylor, Dante Pettis and Jerick McKinnon since James went down.
With only 52 players on the roster there was no corresponding move to make room for James.
White will be flexed onto the active roster from the practice squad for the second week in a row. He handled kick return duties last week, but head coach Kyle Shanahan said he brought White up because of his ability to play other special teams spots. He’ll likely fill those same roles again if he suits up while relinquishing return duties to James.
Daniels is an undrafted rookie who’ll make his first appearance on the active roster. He played his college ball at Oklahoma State and Nebraska, and will offer depth along the interior of the defensive line for San Francisco against a very good Rams offense.
