Brayden Willis
TE SF (14)
Sat 12/27/25 5:19 PM

The 49ers elevated Willis from the practice squad to the active roster ahead of Sunday's game against the Bears.
EDGE Analysis
Willis has played in five games for the 49ers this season, totalling 12 offensive snaps and 74 special-teams snaps in the contests. The tight end was on the active roster for three of those games and was elevated for the remaining two, making the Week 17 elevation his third and final of the 2025 season. If the team would like to use Willis for Week 18 or in the playoffs, it will have to sign him to the active roster.

Brayden Willis
TE SF (14)
Mon 10/20/25 7:47 PM

The 49ers signed Willis to the practice squad Monday.
EDGE Analysis
Willis was waived by the 49ers' active roster Saturday in order to make room on the roster for George Kittle, who was activated from injured reserve. Willis has opted to stay in San Francisco as a member of the team's practice squad after clearing waivers, and he could be elevated to the active roster should the 49ers require depth at tight end.

Brayden Willis
TE SF (14)
Sat 10/18/25 9:26 PM

The 49ers waived Willis on Saturday.
EDGE Analysis
Willis was signed to the active roster in mid-September to give the 49ers added depth at tight end after George Kittle was placed on injured reserve due to a torn hamstring he sustained against the Seahawks in Week 1. With Kittle activated from IR on Saturday, Willis is no longer needed on the 49ers' active roster, though the latter could remain in San Francisco and sign with the team's practice squad.

Brayden Willis
TE SF (14)
Wed 9/17/25 4:15 PM

The 49ers signed Willis to the active roster from the practice squad Wednesday.
EDGE Analysis
Willis takes the roster spot of Ben Bartch, who San Francisco placed on IR on Wednesday. With George Kittle (hamstring) also on IR until at least Week 6, Willis is positioned to contribute in a reserve role at tight end versus the Cardinals on Sunday, and beyond.

Brayden Willis
TE SF (14)
Mon 9/15/25 8:23 PM

Willis reverted to the 49ers' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.
EDGE Analysis
Willis failed to reel in his only target while playing six offensive snaps in Sunday's 26-21 win over the Saints. The tight end is eligible to be elevated to the active roster two more times before the 49ers would have to sign him to the active roster.

Brayden Willis
TE SF (14)
Sat 9/13/25 5:45 PM

Willis was elevated from the 49ers' practice squad to the active roster Saturday.
EDGE Analysis
The 2023 seventh-round pick from Oklahoma remained with San Francisco's practice squad after missing the active roster in late August, and he'll suit up for the first time this season Sunday. With George Kittle (hamstring) sidelined for the next four games at least, Willis could remain with the 49ers' active roster for the foreseeable future and serve as the No. 3 tight end.

Brayden Willis
TE SF (14)
Wed 8/27/25 4:59 PM

Willis signed with San Francisco's practice squad Wednesday.
EDGE Analysis
Willis will supply organizational depth behind George Kittle, Luke Farrell and Jake Tonges, who made the 53-man roster. Since being selected in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the 49ers, Willis has appeared in 17 regular-season games without logging a target.

Brayden Willis
TE SF (14)
Tue 8/26/25 9:06 PM

The 49ers waived Willis on Tuesday.
EDGE Analysis
Willis played 17 games for the 49ers since being drafted in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft, but he mostly worked in a special-teams role and was targeted just twice. He began the 2024 season on the practice squad but was eventually promoted, so he'll look to work his way onto the active roster again this year.

Brayden Willis
TE SF (14)
Tue 4/22/25 8:10 PM

Willis signed his exclusive rights free-agent tender with the 49ers on Tuesday.
EDGE Analysis
Willis is now officially set to return for to San Francisco for the 2025 campaign after having been tendered earlier in the offseason. He didn't record any stats in 10 games last season and will spend the remainder of the offseason competing for a backup spot behind George Kittle.

Brayden Willis
TE SF (14)
Wed 12/18/24 11:30 AM

Willis played all 20 of his snaps on special teams in Thursday's 12-6 loss to the Rams.
EDGE Analysis
The 49ers kept four tight ends active Thursday, but only two (George Kittle and Eric Saubert) saw snaps on offense, while Willis and Jake Tonges were limited to special-teams roles. Willis has suited up in seven games this season but has played just 10 total snaps on offense.