The San Francisco 49ers are making a move to improve their defensive end depth.
NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero on Wednesday reported Jonathan Garvin is returning to San Francisco’s practice squad for the third time this season. He was released on Sept. 11 and re-signed to the practice squad in early October. He was released again in late October.
Now he’ll return to the 49ers’ 16-man practice roster. That group is full for San Francisco so there will be a corresponding move, but it’s unclear which player the 49ers will let go to make room for Garvin.
Adding internal depth at DE makes sense given San Francisco’s issues rushing the passer and a recent hip/oblique injury to DE Nick Bosa. Without Bosa the 49ers have leaned on Leonard Floyd, Yetur Gross-Matos, Sam Okuayinonu and Robert Beal. That group struggled late in the 49ers’ Week 11 loss to the Seattle Seahawks so the team may just be looking to add another body who can be added to the rotation if Bosa winds up missing time.
There’s no guarantee Bosa will be out for Week 12. Head coach Kyle Shanahan on Monday said there’s a chance the one-time Defensive Player of the Year will be able to suit up. If he can’t go, we may see Garvin up with the active roster for the first time this season.
Garvin has played in 38 games with one start across three seasons as a pro. He has 32 tackles and 1.5 sacks in the regular season. He posted three pressures and one quarterback hit in three preseason games for San Francisco this season.
