The cut down from 90 players to 53 generally comes with a slew of number changes. That was the case for several members of the 49ers when they took the practice field Monday.
The team’s website doesn’t reflect any changes to numbers yet, but Chris Biderman of the Sacramento Bee noted six players wearing different numbers than they wore in the preseason.
Cornerback Jason Verrett was No. 2. He’s now wearing No. 27.
Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair is now sporting No. 51 after wearing No. 46 in the preseason. Those are the only two players on the 53-man roster who were in new numbers for the first practice.
Four practice squad players also had different numbers according to Biderman.
Running back Jeff Wilson shed his No. 41 in favor of No. 30.
Defensive lineman Kevin Givens wore No. 60 in the preseason, but flipped the six upside down and will wear 90 for the practice squad. His fellow defensive lineman Jeremiah Valoaga chose No. 92 after wearing 78 in the preseason.
Newly-signed offensive tackle Ryan Pope took No. 71. He wore 77 in college at San Diego State, and No. 74 in camp with the Lions.
It’ll be interesting to see if Trent Taylor reclaims No. 81 after he let Jordan Matthews have it in the offseason. Taylor wore that number for his first two years, but switched to 15 following Matthews’ arrival. The third-year wideout wasn’t on the field for practice Monday while he continues recovering from foot surgery.
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