S.F. waives Ellington
The 49ers had three slot receivers with similar skill sets and Bruce Ellington was deemed the most expendable.
On Thursday, the 49ers waived Ellington, a 2014 fourth-round pick who was buried on the depth chart this summer after dealing with injuries throughout his career.
Ellington became a long shot to make the 53-man roster after the 49ers’ offseason moves at slot receiver. They signed Jeremy Kerley to a contract extension before free agency and selected Trent Taylor, head coach Kyle Shanahan’s favorite player in the draft, in the fifth round.
“I thought we were a little front loaded with some more inside receivers, the slot-type position,” Shanahan said. “We had a little bit of a backup there. We’re trying to get some other guys who can play a little bit more on the outside.”
On Monday, the 49ers welcomed two wideouts after they waived undrafted rookie BJ Johnson, who was injured in camp. They signed Louis Murphy, 30, and claimed undrafted rookie Tim Patrick off waivers. By releasing Ellington early in camp, they gave him a better chance to make another team’s roster.
Ellington, who has 19 career receptions, missed the 2016 season with a torn hamstring and was sidelined for much of the offseason with a muscle strain. On Wednesday, he was wearing a sleeve on his left leg and spent several minutes being stretched out by a trainer during the session. Ellington has missed 22 of 48 games in his career.
“It’s unfortunate that he was unable to showcase his talent due to the injuries that stacked up against him,” said cornerback Dontae Johnson, who was part of his draft class.
Former general manager Trent Baalke drafted five receivers from 2012 to 2016, and they have contributed 100 receptions as members of the 49ers. Of the five wideouts, only DeAndre Smelter and Aaron Burbridge, who are fighting for roster spots, are still with the team. First-string for Foster: Rookie linebacker Reuben Foster took first-team snaps with NaVorro Bowman taking a veteran’s rest day and Brock Coyle leaving practice early with an injury.
Shanahan described it as an up-and-down experience for the No. 31 pick, who made the play calls.
“I think, like anybody in his first time at it, I think he had a few busts,” Shanahan said. “I think there’s good stuff for him to get in, and watch the tape and learn from.”
Johnson suggested Foster could lower the decibels while delivering the plays to the defense.
“He was yelling them a little bit,” Johnson said, laughing. “… It will come natural as he does it more often.” Injury report: Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (ankle) did not practice, but his day-to-day status indicates his injury is not serious.
Safety Jaquiski Tartt (rib), linebacker Eli Harold (concussion), tight end George Kittle (hamstring), cornerbacks Keith Reaser (knee) and Zach Franklin (ankle) and center JP Flynn (knee) did not practice.
Safety Eric Reid (ankle) returned to practice after he was injured Sunday.
Eric Branch is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer.