49ers Rookie Gives Up 53-Man Roster Opportunity to Care for Ill Parents

San Francisco, CA – Just days before the final roster deadline, San Francisco 49ers rookie running back Corey Kiner has decided to step away from the 53-man roster battle to return home and care for his seriously ill parents.

Kiner, 23, joined the 49ers as an undrafted free agent after the 2025 Draft. In the preseason, he made his mark with 12 carries for 68 yards, including a 19-yard burst against Las Vegas—enough to show depth potential behind the starters.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan praised him after the game: “Corey has speed and toughness. He’s the kind of player we want to build with.”

Later that day, Kiner issued a statement —keeping the original message intact, adjusted for the 49ers:

“Thank you San Francisco 49ers for the incredible opportunity to chase my NFL dream. But right now, my parents—who sacrificed everything for me—are fighting illness. My father has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and my mother is recovering from breast cancer surgery. I need to be with them. The NFL is a dream, but family is my foundation. Thank you, Faithful, and I hope to be back soon. #FaithfulToTheBay”

General manager John Lynch offered support : “Corey is a young talent with a big heart. We respect his decision to put family first—and the door is always open for his return.”

From a football standpoint, the decision does not significantly disrupt the 49ers’ RB depth—currently anchored by Christian McCaffrey and recent trade addition Brian Robinson Jr.—while other rookies continue their push for roster spots.

On social media, fans rallied around the hashtag #CoreyStrong. If his family situation stabilizes, Kiner could pursue another NFL opportunity in 2026—perhaps even rejoining San Francisco’s practice squad—with his preseason tape still speaking for him.