49ers release defensive end Cameron Sample after signing him in April, make additional roster changes

The San Francisco 49ers made multiple roster moves on Aug. 5, with the most notable change coming on the defensive side. The team released defensive end Cameron Sample, according to reporting attributed to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. Sample had signed with the 49ers in April, making the turnaround from addition to release a quick one for the organization.

Sample’s departure is a reminder that early offseason signings can be short lived as teams evaluate fit, role, and performance through offseason work and the preseason window. While the release itself is the headline item, it also indicates the kind of roster churn that can occur at the margins, especially for players competing for reserve snaps along the defensive front.

Alongside Sample’s release, the 49ers also made a move at wide receiver. The team signed KhaDarel Hodge, adding a receiver to compete for depth and special teams opportunities. For a roster that typically carries a mix of established players and players still pushing for a defined role, a signing like this often reflects how teams want options in training camp as they sort out the depth chart.

On the interior defensive line, the 49ers released defensive tackle Kevin Givens. Moves at tackle are common in camp because teams balance run-defense needs, pass-rush packages, and the day-to-day availability of players as the preseason progresses. Releasing a defensive tackle also creates room for other defenders to earn spots, whether through camp performances or additional transactions.

Taken together, the group of moves suggests the 49ers were re-shaping their front-seven and receiver depth at the same time. Even though these are not the type of high-profile changes that dominate the offseason, they matter for the practical work of preparing for the regular season. The preseason is often where teams finalize their rotation, determine which players can handle multiple roles, and reduce the number of roster spots reserved for unknowns.

It also matters for the players involved. Sample’s signing in April followed by a release four months later means he will need to find a new opportunity elsewhere, while Hodge’s signing gives him a chance to earn a place on the roster through summer work. Givens’ departure similarly requires him to pivot to another situation if he wants to remain in the NFL ecosystem this year.

What to watch next is how the 49ers fill the vacancies created by these releases. With preseason evaluation ongoing, the team’s next transactions and camp roster adjustments will help clarify which players are positioned to take over backup reps at defensive end and tackle, and which receiver candidates can push for reserve responsibilities behind the starters.