On Monday, head coach Kyle Shanahan announced that the San Francisco 49ers would let Jon Feliciano's practice window expire, keeping the veteran offensive lineman on injured reserve. The team had until Monday to make a decision, but Feliciano's recovery didn't progress as they had hoped.
"The knee hasn't responded the right way," Shanahan explained. "So, unfortunately for Jon and us—just had a talk with him here a little bit ago—he's going to have to stay on IR."
Feliciano took to social media to express his disappointment and reflect on the possibility that his NFL journey might be coming to an end.
"Tried my hardest," Feliciano wrote. "Father Time [is] real. Hoping this ain't the end but if it is, Hell of a ride."
Tried my hardest. Father Time real. Hoping this ain't the end but if it is, Hell of a ride
— Jonathan Feliciano (@MongoFeliciano) November 25, 2024
Feliciano entered the league as a fourth-round pick of the Raiders in 2015. At 32 years old, he was one of San Francisco's most reliable linemen last season, earning an impressive 79.8 grade from Pro Football Focus—the second-highest among 49ers offensive linemen with at least 50 snaps. Only All-Pro Trent Williams graded higher.
Feliciano allowed just one sack across 350 pass-blocking snaps last season, including the playoffs. However, a knee injury landed him on injured reserve on August 28, clearing the way for rookie Dominick Puni to emerge as the team's starting right guard.
In March, the 49ers re-signed Feliciano to a one-year deal, and hoped his return from injury would provide depth and veteran leadership on the offensive line.
