Willie Snead IV spent three seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, and the veteran wide receiver appears to be a key player for the San Francisco 49ers, potentially setting up a Super Bowl matchup with his former team.
Snead was one of two players promoted from the practice squad to Sunday’s NFC Championship Game.
His promotion comes despite Deebo Samuel being cleared to play after recovering from a shoulder ailment. Snead will most likely serve as backup if Samuel goes down again. The 49ers appear hesitant to rely on rookie Ronnie Bell in the postseason, having made the seventh-round pick inactive in last week’s divisional round victory over Green Bay.
Curtis Robinson, a linebacker, has been promoted with Snead.
This decision looks to signal that starting SAM linebacker Oren Burks will not be available. Burks sustained a shoulder injury during practice this week and is categorised as questionable.
Kalia Davis, a defensive tackle whose 21-day practice window opened earlier this week, has been demoted to out.
