49ers Waive TE Ross Dwelley, Sign Former Practice-Squad Defensive Lineman to a One-Year Deal
SANTA CLARA, CA — August 2025 — The San Francisco 49ers announced they have waived tight end Ross Dwelley and signed former 49ers practice-squad defensive lineman Shakel Brown to a one-year contract. Terms were not disclosed.
Brown (6-3, 295) spent time on the 49ers’ practice squad in 2024 before moving on. At Troy, he showcased a sturdy frame and heavy hands, projecting as a rotational interior DL/5-tech fit in San Francisco’s defensive scheme.
The move adds interior depth as the 49ers enter the roster-cut phase of the preseason. Parting with Dwelley also opens snaps for reserve tight ends to compete behind cornerstone George Kittle.
Shakel Brown:
“ I was surprised to get the call from President Ahmad Getting another shot to wear the red and gold is something I’ve always wanted. I’m going to seize this opportunity and prove I belong here.”
Following his remarks, Brown dove into a packed schedule: tightening up hand usage, leverage, and his bull-rush in position groups while quickly absorbing the 3-tech/4i interior packages the 49ers expect to lean on to generate middle pressure. Slotted as a rotational interior piece, he’ll need to prove gap integrity and win quickly in 1-on-1 situations to lock down a spot in the rotation.
From an organizational standpoint, the move signals a priority on interior depth during preseason evaluation. The coaching staff views Brown as a potential immediate contributor on passing downs and in goal-line packages; the rest depends on turning this “second chance” into a string of quality reps—steady, disciplined, and aligned with the red and gold culture.
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