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HC Kyle Shanahan Remove Rookie from The 53-man Roster for Leaking Internal Information

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Santa Clara, CA – August 30, 2025

The air at Levi's Stadium turned heavy just hours before the 49ers announced their final 53. An empty locker. A name crossed off the EDGE rotation board. And a blunt message delivered to the room: Connor Colby — out.

According to internal team sourcing, Connor Colby, a fifth-round rookie, was removed from the roster for a serious breach of tactical confidentiality, specifically leaking elements tied to defensive communication on third down and certain pre-snap pressure signals. No one mentioned an injury. No one cited a personal matter. This was a story about loyalty — and about betrayal.

After practice, head coach Kyle Shanahan didn’t hedge:

“We build our culture here on trust. When a player takes internal information outside this locker room, it’s not just a violation — it’s a betrayal. And once you betray… you don’t deserve to wear the red and gold.”

Teammates stayed quiet publicly, but the atmosphere said enough. Position-group chats were locked. Small-group film sessions no longer included Colby.

Team captain Brock Purdy, who is understood to have spoken directly with Colby, kept it short:

“In San Francisco, these colors aren’t just a uniform — they’re a pledge. You can’t stand in the huddle with us if trust has cracked. Here, if you break brotherhood — you cut yourself off from the team.”

Personnel sources indicated the incident began with a private conversation Colby believed was “harmless,” but it referenced call codes used within the 49ers’ 4–3 defensive packages — an unforgivable slip just days before the season.

By nightfall, Connor Colby’s name was removed from the official roster. The door back isn’t closed, but the path is steep — and an apology won’t be enough.

Raiders Reunite with a Former Starter to Fortify the Offensive Line
Las Vegas, NV   The Las Vegas Raiders have brought back a familiar face in a move that screams both urgency and savvy: versatile offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor is returning to the Silver & Black on a one-year deal (terms not disclosed), reuniting with the franchise where he logged some of the best football of his career and immediately fortifying a position group that has been stretched thin. Eluemunor, 31, started for the Raiders from 2021–2023, showing rare position flexibility across right tackle and guard while anchoring pass protection against premier edge rushers. His technique, anchor, and ability to handle long-arm power made him a steadying force during multiple playoff pushes. After departing Vegas, Eluemunor spent time elsewhere refining his craft, but a confluence of roster needs and scheme familiarity has set the stage for a timely homecoming. For the Raiders—fighting to keep pace in a rugged AFC—this is about stability and fit. Injuries and week-to-week availability on the right side of the line have forced constant shuffling; protection packages have leaned heavily on chips and condensed splits to survive obvious passing downs. Eluemunor’s return allows the staff to plug him at RT or slide him inside at RG, restoring balance to protections and widening the run-game menu (duo, inside zone, and the toss/ pin-pull that Vegas fans love when the edge is sealed). “Jermaine knows who we are and how we want to play,” a team source said. “He brings ballast. Assignment sound, physical, and smart—he raises the floor for the entire unit.” Beyond the X’s and O’s, there’s an unmistakable emotional charge to this reunion. Eluemunor was a locker-room favorite in his previous stint—professional, detail-driven, and accountable. The belief internally is that his presence stabilizes communication on the right side (IDs, slides, and pass-off rules vs. games and simulated pressures), which in turn unlocks more vertical concepts and keeps the quarterback cleaner late in games. On social media, Raider Nation lit up the timeline with a simple refrain: “Welcome back, Jem.” Many fans called the deal the exact kind of “rival-poach, ready-to-play” move a contender makes in October: low friction, high impact, zero learning curve. What it means on the field (immediately): Pass pro: Fewer emergency chips, more five-out releases—OC can re-open deeper intermediate shots without living in max-protect. Run game: Better edge control on toss/duo; more confidence running to the right on money downs. Depth & versatility: One injury doesn’t force a cascade of position changes; Eluemunor can cover two spots with starting-level competency. The timetable? Swift. Because Eluemunor already speaks the language—terminology, splits, cadence rules—he could suit up as early as this weekend if the medicals/check-ins continue to trend positive. The message is clear: the Raiders aren’t waiting around for the line to gel—they’re engineering it. If Jermaine Eluemunor plays to his Raider résumé, this reunion could be the precise mid-season jolt that steadies the offense and keeps the Silver & Black firmly in the postseason race. Raider Nation, the question writes itself: Plug-and-play stopgap—or the catalyst that reclaims the right side