The 49ers on Saturday announced a couple roster moves before Sunday’s season opener in Chicago. They elevated wide receiver Malik Turner and safety Tashaun Gipson from the practice squad to the active roster, so both will be available for San Francisco.
Turner was a player some pegged to make the final roster. He was cut, but signed with the 49ers’ practice squad and will now get an opportunity to play the role he’d have filled had he made the 53-man roster. Don’t expect Turner to be involved a ton on offense, but he should be a big-time contributor on special teams.
Gipson will provide some depth at safety for the 49ers as they face his former team. With free safety Jimmie Ward sidelined by a hamstring injury, the 49ers have just three safeties on the active roster: Talanoa Hufanga, George Odum and Tarvarius Moore. Gipson gives them a little bit of wiggle room in the back end of their defense in the event of an injury.
Both players were brought up with standard elevations, so they will revert back to the practice squad after Sunday’s game, and the 49ers weren’t required to make any moves to clear a spot for them on the 53-man roster.
