San Francisco 49ers Sign Veteran Offensive Line Starter, Cut Promising Rookie

Getty

Michael Dunn looks on during a Browns game against the Saints on November 17, 2024.

On Wednesday August 20, 2025 the San Francisco 49ers announced they are signing offensive guard Michael Dunn amid a series of roster moves.

Dunn, 30, is an eight-year NFL veteran who has spent his entire career with the Cleveland Browns. Over the years, Dunn played in 53 games for the Browns and started nine of them.

Dunn was initially signed by the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Maryland in 2017. He also spent time with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Miami Dolphins before making his regular season NFL debut at long last in 2017.

Dunn Signing Comes Amid Offensive Line Issues

The 49ers needed to sign Dunn after top guards Dominick Puni and Ben Bartch went down with injury.

In the absence of those two players, the 49ers offensive line has struggled mightily in training camp practice in recent days. On Tuesday August 19, 2025, the 49ers defensive line reportedly dominated the offensive line and got a lot of pressure on QB Brock Purdy.

The 49ers offensive line struggled today at practice:

“A fair amount of pressure on Purdy today despite Bosa not doing team drills. Evan Anderson got past Jake Brendel in the first team period for a potential sack or pressure (Purdy hit Guerendo for a big gain but likely would… pic.twitter.com/qEkGluMBuI

— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) August 19, 2025

That was without superstar EDGE rusher Nick Bosa practicing. Plus, the 49ers’ defensive line unit isn’t even that strong. Their defensive tackle unit was recently called one of the “worst in the league” and they are dealing with injuries at that position as well.

Nick Zakelj, getting some of his first reps at left guard, particularly struggled. DT Jordan Elliot reportedly got past Zakelj several times.

The 49ers needed a depth piece that they can plug and play as a somewhat reliable starter if they continue to have injuries and/or their experienced players struggle. Dunn is exactly that kind of player.

49ers Cut RB Corey Kiner

As part of their series of roster moves, the 49ers also cut RB Corey Kiner, who has been a very promising undrafted rookie.

The 49ers running back room has been decimated by injury in recent weeks, and Kiner is the latest to fall victim to an untimely injury. Kiner suffered a severe high-ankle sprain in the 49ers’ preseason Week 2 22-19 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.

If Kiner makes it through waivers, he will revert to the 49ers IR on Thursday August 21, 2025. But as someone who has shown a lot of potential in college and training camp, there’s a real chance that another team picks him up.

The Other 49ers Roster Moves

In addition to signing Dunn, the 49ers brought back wide receiver Malik Knowles.

Knowles, 25, is a second year undrafted player out of Kansas State. He has previously spent time with the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers. The 49ers had him in camp in June and July 2025 before cutting him on July 31. This will be his second chance to make the Niners’ 2025 roster.

And in another corresponding move, the 49ers cut defensive lineman Demone Harris. The 49ers signed Harris less than a week ago, on Thursday August 14, 2025.

It seems like any time the 49ers address a position of need, they hurt another position of need. Oh well. That’s what happens when you have injuries all over your roster.

What do you think of the newest signings and cuts, 49ers fans?

Ethan Inman is a sports journalist covering the San Francisco 49ers, San Francisco Giants and Las Vegas Raiders for heavy.com. He also co-hosts a college football podcast for The Voice of College Football, and writes about the NBA and MLB. He has previously covered the USC Trojans, the NHL, college baseball, and the intersection of sports and popular culture for other publications. He is based in the greater Los Angeles area. More about Ethan Inman