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49ers Waive TE Ross Dwelley, Sign Former Practice-Squad Defensive Lineman to a One-Year Deal

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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.

Packers Rookie Cut Before Season Retires to Join Military Service
The NFL is often described as the pinnacle of athletic dreams, but for one Green Bay rookie, the path to greatness has taken a turn away from the gridiron and toward a higher calling. After signing as an undrafted free agent in May, the young cornerback fought through training camp and preseason battles, hoping to carve out a roster spot on a Packers team recalibrating its depth and identity in the secondary. That player is Tyron Herring, a Delaware (via Dartmouth) standout known as a true outside corner with length, competitive toughness, and special-teams upside. Listed at 6’1”, 201 pounds with verified long speed, Herring built a reputation as a press-capable defender who thrives along the boundary.  Waived in late August, Herring stunned teammates and fans by announcing his retirement from professional football and his decision to enlist in the U.S. military, trading a Packers jersey for a soldier’s uniform. “I lived my NFL dream in Green Bay, but being cut before the season opened another path,” Herring said in a statement. “This isn’t the end — it’s a higher calling. Now, I choose to serve my country with the same heart I gave the Packers.” Prototypical on paper for Green Bay’s boundary profile and steady on tape throughout August, Herring nevertheless faced heavy competition in a crowded cornerback room. The numbers game won out as the Packers finalized their 53 and practice squad. For the Packers, the move closes the chapter on a developmental project with intriguing tools. For Herring, it begins a profound new journey that echoes his “hidden gem” label — a player who consistently rose above expectations and now seeks to do so in service to something bigger than the game. Fans across Wisconsin and the college football community saluted the decision on social media, calling it “the ultimate sacrifice” and “proof that heart is bigger than the game.” Herring leaves the NFL, but his next mission may prove even greater.