OverTheCap.com lists the 49ers with just over $4 million of salary-cap space. That would require some financial maneuvering to add Beckham to the roster through the waiver wire.
"Yeah, for that reason, we won't be able to put in a claim on him, just for the financial reasons," Shanahan admitted today on a conference call with reporters.
If the 49ers do want to pursue Beckham, they will have to wait to see if he clears waivers and hope they can sign him as a free agent at a reduced cost. Right now, there are only about 10 teams that can swing adding Beckham through the waiver wire. One is the Seattle Seahawks, who have over $13 million in salary-cap space, per OverTheCap.com.
Of course, at 3-5, wide receiver probably isn't the 49ers' biggest concern right now. After Arizona Cardinals backup quarterback Colt McCoy completed 84.6 percent of his passes for 249 yards and a touchdown against the 49ers defense, the team might be more aggressive in pursuing Beckham if he could also play as a defensive back.
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