San Francisco 49ers' Ray-Ray McCloud (3) scores on a 71-yard touchdown run against the Washington Commanders in the second quarter at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA CLARA – Ray-Ray McCloud, the 49ers’ return specialist the past two seasons, came off the Injured Reserve list Saturday in a move that could alleviate a concern for the playoffs.
In a corresponding roster move, tight end Ross Dwelley went on Injured Reserve, having missed over a month with an ankle injury.
McCloud missed the past five games with fractured ribs, and he’s eligible to return for Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Los Angeles Rams at Levi’s Stadium.
The top-seeded 49ers (12-4) are expected to sit Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey but other regular starters could at least make cameos with McCloud in a game that doesn’t impact the Niners’ playoff positioning.
Jauan Jennings (concussion) got downgraded to out for his third straight game, and fellow wide receiver Danny Gray (shoulder) remains out.
The two practice-squad players elevated for Sunday’s game: running back Jeremy McNichols and safety Tayler Hawkins.
Fullback Kyle Juszczyk (illness) was added to the injury report and is questionable to play.
The Rams (9-7) can enhance their wild-card seeding between Nos. 6 or 7 with a win, but they’re also sitting some key starters, including quarterback Matthew Stafford, running back Kyren Williams and defensive tackle Aaron Donald.
McCloud’s punt return average (8.5 yards) is his lowest since 2019, and no return has gone further than 19 yards, but his ball security is sought after shaky work by his replacement the past month, rookie Ronnie Bell. McCloud has fumbled once this season but teammate Oren Burks recovered it, in McCloud’s last action, on Thanksgiving in Seattle.
McCloud finished first among NFC return specialists in Pro Bowl fan voting but was not among the 49ers’ 12 alternates listed for the annual all-star festivities. He has nine receptions for 113 yards.
Originally published at Cam Inman