The San Francisco 49ers have parted ways with offensive lineman Kilian Zierer. The 25-year-old was part of the franchise’s practice squad as part of the International Player Pathway Program.

Not good news from a German perspective.

Kilian Zierer is currently no longer under contract with an NFL franchise. The San Francisco 49ers released the offensive lineman at the beginning of the week.

The 25-year-old was under contract with the team’s practice squad as part of the International Player Pathway Program.

Instead of the German, the franchise signed Mexican Isaac Alarcon, who now takes Zierer’s international spot and therefore does not count against the maximum in the practice squad.

Alarcon was recently suspended for six games by the NFL for violating the league’s drug policy.

NFL: Kilian Zierer now a free agent

This means that Zierer will initially become a free agent. Born in Munich, he was already part of the Atlanta Falcons and Cleveland Browns this season before signing with the San Francisco 49ers at the end of August. In 2023 and 2024, he was on the Houston Texans’ practice squad.

Back in September, Zierer spoke to ran about his place on the practice squad. Even then, he had a realistic view of the business of the league: “Nothing is certain in the NFL.”

This proved to be true.