A well-known former Alabama All-American defensive back didn’t make it through the preseason.
NFL teams were required to reduce their 80-player preseason rosters to the regular-season limit of 53 on Tuesday, and the 32 organizations took almost 800 players off of their active rosters, including 20 Alabama alumni. However, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix was among that group as the San Francisco 49ers.
Clinton-Dix only joined the 49ers about 2 weeks ago, and made a splash on Sunday with an interception he returned 36 yards in the win over Las Vegas.
A safety, Clinton-Dix was released by the Dallas Cowboys one year ago, and the six-year veteran and one-time Pro Bowler did not find another place to play in 2020. It appears that injuries to other safeties, and their pending return, played a factor into the decision, according to Niner Noise.
It’s possible the 49ers look to bring Clinton-Dix back on the practice squad, as last year’s rules for previously ineligible veterans still apply. And the fact Clinton-Dix didn’t play last year after failing to make the Dallas Cowboys’ regular-season squad could actually work in the Niners’ favor.
His chances, already low in the wake of fellow safeties Talanoa Hufanga and Tavon Wilson playing well, were ultimately lessened to the point of being released amid Jaquiski Tartt’s return.
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
