# 49ers sign former Cowboys draft pick and release tight end Josiah Deguara > The San Francisco 49ers added a former Cowboys draft pick on defense and released veteran tight end Josiah Deguara ahead of a preseason game against the Raiders. - **Published**: 2026-08-24 22:30:43 - **Canonical**: https://worldys.news/article/49ers-sign-former-cowboys-draft-pick-and-release-tight-end-josiah-deguara ## Reporting The San Francisco 49ers have executed a pair of roster adjustments, bringing in a defensive player with local ties who was previously selected in the fourth round by the Dallas Cowboys, while simultaneously releasing veteran tight end Josiah Deguara. These personnel changes were detailed across multiple sports news outlets, including Yahoo Sports, 49ers Webzone, and Niners Nation, arriving precisely as the coaching staff turns its attention toward an upcoming preseason exhibition against the Las Vegas Raiders. In professional football, the transition phases of the calendar year demand constant evaluation of the lower tiers of the 90-man roster. Front offices routinely cycle through available talent to find hidden upside, address sudden depth concerns, or reward players who fit specific scheme requirements. By cutting ties with Deguara, the organization signaled a shift in its tight end room priorities, creating a necessary roster vacancy to welcome a fresh defensive presence who boasts ties to the local region. While initial reports from outlets such as 49ers Webzone and Yahoo Sports framed the transactions within the immediate context of game preparation for the Raiders, Niners Nation provided further specificity regarding the background of the incoming defensive reinforcement. The mechanics of late-summer roster management Roster churn during the exhibition slate is a calculated mechanism used by general managers and head coaches to test marginal players under live fire. When a team opts to release a veteran player like Josiah Deguara, it frequently indicates that younger developmental options or versatile practice squad candidates have surpassed them in daily training camp evaluations. Deguara, whose departure was confirmed across multiple team-focused reports, found himself on the outside looking in as San Francisco narrowed its focus toward the regular season. Conversely, bringing in a former fourth-round draft pick of the Dallas Cowboys injects a familiar pedigree into the defensive unit. Mid-round selections typically possess athletic traits that originally caught the eye of national scouts, giving them a second chance when they hit the open market. For the 49ers, claiming or signing such a player requires minimal risk while offering an extended evaluation window during high-stakes preseason practices and game repetitions. The defensive addition, highlighted by Niners Nation as a local product, brings immediate geographical familiarity alongside professional experience gathered elsewhere in the league. Why it matters Transactions of this magnitude rarely dominate national headlines, yet they carry profound implications for the players involved and the structural depth of the franchise. For a contender like San Francisco, maintaining an airtight roster means churning the bottom ten spots until the right combination of skill, health, and scheme adaptability is achieved. The decision to part ways with a veteran tight end implies confidence in the remaining pass-catchers and blockers currently inhabiting the position group. At the same time, stocking the defensive side of the ball with a former mid-round draft pick reflects an ongoing organizational philosophy: continuous competition. Every snap in practice is scrutinized, and front offices are quick to capitalize when a player with established physical traits becomes available. Observers tracking these moves understand that each transaction represents a step toward the league-mandated roster reduction deadlines, where every evaluation dictates whether a player makes the initial 53-man squad or becomes a candidate for the practice squad. What the sources show A comparative look at the reporting reveals distinct angles on the same series of events. Yahoo Sports and 49ers Webzone anchored their coverage primarily around the timing of the transactions, noting how the 49ers adjusted their personnel immediately ahead of their matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. These reports focused heavily on the overarching narrative of pre-game roster management and the mechanical necessity of clearing space. Meanwhile, Niners Nation drilled down into the specifics of the personnel itself. Their coverage emphasized the defensive nature of the incoming player, highlighting both his local roots and his previous tenure as a fourth-round draft choice of the Dallas Cowboys. While all sources corroborate the fundamental facts—the signing of the former Cowboys defender and the corresponding release of tight end Josiah Deguara—the variance in focus illustrates how local and national outlets prioritize different elements of a routine training camp transaction. There are no competing claims or contradictory facts among the reports, but the synthesis provides a complete picture combining the tactical timing, the positional adjustments, and the player backgrounds. What's next With the paperwork finalized, attention shifts directly to the field. The newly acquired defender must quickly assimilate into the defensive playbook and prove his worth during upcoming practices and game snaps against the Las Vegas Raiders. Coaching staffs will closely monitor how rapidly the newcomer picks up defensive assignments and whether his athletic traits translate to the team's specific scheme. For Josiah Deguara, the release places him on the waiver wire or open market, where other franchises seeking veteran depth at tight end can evaluate his availability. As the preseason progresses toward its final week, both players will experience the swift currents of NFL roster management, where performance in the coming days dictates the next chapter of their professional careers. Further roster modifications remain an absolute certainty as the organization edges closer to the final roster cut-down date. --- *Synthesized by Worldys News Intelligence Desk under journalistic verification standards.*