49ers Sign RB Vaughn; Waive OL Johnson

The following release is courtesy of the San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers today announced they have signed RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn to a one-year deal. In order to make room on the roster, the team waived OL Zack Johnson.

Vaughn (5-10, 214) was originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round (76th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft. Throughout his five-year NFL career with the Buccaneers (2020-23), New England Patriots (2023-24) and 49ers (2024), Vaughn has appeared in 46 games (one start) and registered 105 carries for 388 yards (3.7 average) and two touchdowns on the ground to go along with 14 receptions for 81 yards (5.8 average) and one touchdown through the air.

The 49ers have signed RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn to a one-year deal and waived OL Zack Johnson.

📰 https://t.co/xPklm5Tfl8 pic.twitter.com/pPK8ilcm9Y

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) August 9, 2025

In 2024, Vaughn signed to San Francisco’s practice squad on August 29, 2024, where he appeared in three games and registered two carries for four yards before he was released by the team on January 13, 2025.

A 28-year-old native of Nashville, TN, Vaughn attended the University of Illinois (2015-17) before transferring to Vanderbilt University for three seasons (2017-20), where he appeared in 46 games (29 starts) and tallied 572 carries for 3,296 yards and 30 touchdowns on the ground and added 67 receptions for 664 yards and three touchdowns through the air.

Johnson (6-6, 301) originally signed to the team’s practice squad on December 31, 2024 and later signed a Reserve/Future contract with the San Francisco 49ers on January 6, 2025.

More San Francisco 49ers content from Sactown Sports

The San Francisco 49ers welcomed hundreds of season ticket holders for “Levi’s® Stadium Under the Lights” presented by ANC. The event celebrated the completion of the team’s two-year, $200 million stadium renovation project and the start of the NFL season.

Headlining the event was a live demonstration of the venue’s enhanced fan experience and gameday entertainment capabilities, featuring two brand-new 4K video boards that are 70% larger than the previous boards. In addition to the significant size increase, the boards feature over 300% more pixels, giving fans brighter, crisper, and clearer views of the game. Levi’s® Stadium now has the largest 4K display in the NFL.

Complementing the minutes-long fireworks show, new LED field lights and ribbon boards illuminated the stadium, giving fans a sneak peek at the enhanced fan experience that will be on display throughout the NFL season.

Read more below:

49ers unveil $200 million renovations at Levi’s Stadium

Upcoming San Francisco 49ers Schedule

Preseason

• Saturday, August 16th – @ Las Vegas Raiders – 1:00 PM PT
• Saturday, August 23rd – vs. Los Angeles Chargers – 5:30 PM PT

Regular Season

• Sunday, September 7th – @ Seattle Seahawks – 1:05 PM PT  *Season opener*
• Sunday, September 14th – @ New Orleans Saints – 10:00 AM PT
• Sunday, September 21st – vs. Arizona Cardinals – 1:25 PM PT
• Sunday, September 28th – vs. Jacksonville Jaguars – 1:05 PM PT
• Thursday, October 2nd – @ Los Angeles Rams – 5:15 PM PT

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