49ers Re-sign Ashtyn Davis And Corliss Waitman; 2 Defenders Headed To The Ir

The San Francisco 49ers announced the re-signing of safety Ashtyn Davis and punter Corliss Waitman to one-year deals.

To make room for them on the roster, cornerback Nate Hobbs (groin) and linebacker Nick Martin (hamstring) were placed on the Injured Reserve. Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports said Martin is expected to return at some point during the middle of the season. He added that Hobbs will return and contribute at some point this year, but didn’t note when.

It was unlikely that Martin would contribute defensively, even before he was hurt. The IR may have been an option for Martin, regardless, so the team can keep him on the roster without using a roster spot. As for Hobbs, the team must feel good about what he can potentially bring to the table when healthy.

Any player who lands on the Injured Reserve can be brought back. The difference between Martin and Hobbs, compared to Austen Pleasants and Christian Kirk, is that the former two, along with anybody else the team places on the IR, don’t need to be designated to return.

Davis will live on special teams. Whenever you see a safety signing, you’re going to wonder whether it means Malik Mustapha is further away from returning than expected. But then you remember that the 49ers only kept a couple of safeties and the depth is next to nothing, even when you count Mustapha.

A few teams released their punter on Sunday, in a procedural move that is becoming the norm. You don’t have to worry about somebody else signing your punter after everyone else has submitted their roster. We’ll see if this becomes an annual transaction for the Niners.