A look at the full, active 49ers roster for the 2014 season. If jersey number in photo differs from that listed in the description, the latter is correct.
There is a reason why wide receivers seem to always wear jersey numbers in the 80s; why quarterbacks are almost always in single digits; and why offensive linemen, to a man, are stuck with the 60s and 70s.
The NFL mandates it.
Here are the options that players, on the San Francisco 49ers and every other team in the league, have when it comes to the digits on their jerseys:
Quarterbacks, punters, and kickers: 1-19
Running backs: 20-49
Wide receivers: 10-19 and 80-89
Tight ends: 10-19 and 80-89 (or 40-49 if those ranges are taken)
Centers: 50-59 (or 60-79 if that range is taken)
Offensive linemen: 60-79
Defensive linemen: 60-79 and 90-99
Linebackers: 50-59 and 90-99
Defensive backs: 20-49
RELATED:Players Explain Number Choices
It makes sense then that 49ers rookie wide receiver Bruce Ellington has switched from number 3, which he wore during training camp and in the preseason, to number 10 for his first regular season. He needed to adhere to the rule.
Beyond Ellington, now known as ellingt10 on Instagram, nine new San Francisco players have changed their jersey numbers.
FB Trey Millard – 33
S Antoine Bethea – 41
LB Chase Thomas – 58
CB Keith Reaser – 27
S L.J. McCray – 31
CB Kenneth Acker – 24
DL Kaleb Ramsey – 68
G Fouimalo Fonoti – 62
OL Dillon Farrell – 56
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