49ers Sign RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn, Waive OL Zack Johnson

The San Francisco 49ers made a roster move today, signing running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn to a one-year deal and waiving offensive lineman Zack Johnson to clear space.

Vaughn, a 5-foot-10, 214-pound back, was drafted in the third round (76th overall) by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020. Over five NFL seasons with Tampa Bay, New England, and San Francisco, Vaughn has appeared in 46 games, rushing 105 times for 388 yards and two touchdowns. He’s also caught 14 passes for 81 yards and one receiving touchdown.

Last year, Vaughn joined the 49ers practice squad late in the season and played in three games, carrying twice for four yards before being released in January.

A Nashville native, Vaughn played college ball at Illinois and then Vanderbilt, where he totaled 3,296 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns on 572 carries, plus 67 receptions for 664 yards and three scores over 46 games.

On the flip side, 6-foot-6, 301-pound offensive lineman Zack Johnson, who signed a reserve/future contract earlier this year, has been waived to make room on the roster.