Ray-Ray McCloud, the 49ers’ wide receiver and return man, was forced to be placed on injured reserve on Saturday, forcing them to make a roster move. Due to a rib injury, the 27-year-old will have to miss at least the next four weeks of play.
McCloud played for the Bills, Panthers, and Steelers before joining the 49ers for his second season. His best season was in 2021 with Pittsburgh, where he finished with career-highs in receiving yards (277) and kick return yards (776), and he led the league in punt return yardage (367 yards). McCloud is on the field for offense and special teams return units, but he has only scored two touchdowns in his career. One was on the ground, and the other arrived through the air for the 49ers in the previous season. He has remained the team’s main return man this season and has continued to contribute minimally to the offense.
Chris Conley, a receiver on the practice squad, has been added by San Francisco to the active roster to take his place. The veteran wideout, who is 31 years old, hasn’t played extensively in the previous two seasons. This year, Conley has been elevated for three different gamedays—the maximum amount for a single practice squad contract. Despite finding nearly 20 offensive snaps, he has not yet registered a target in 2023. Even so, he is equipped with a wealth of experience as a backup receiver to step in if needed by the team.
The 49ers also declared that running back Jeremy McNichols and safety Erik Harris will be called up from the practice squad as regular gameday elevations for tomorrow’s match. In an attempt to provide depth at the position while injured starter Talanoa Hufanga was sidelined, Harris was called up last week. Conversely, McNichols hasn’t played in a game since 2021, when he was a member of the Titans.
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