The 49ers’ defensive line took another hit Wednesday when C.J. West was placed on injured reserve, a move that came after he had started both of the team’s wins this season.
West is not considered done for the year, but coach Kyle Shanahan said he will have knee surgery because of a bone chip that may have bothered him since training camp.
The injury picture up front has turned crowded fast. Alfred Collins and Sam Okuayinonu are already on IR, and rookie James Thompson Jr. could be headed there as well after hurting his ankle in Sunday’s 35-13 win over Miami. Shanahan didn’t hide the concern.
“Anytime you have 5 D-tackles make the team and you’re down to two of them, that’s a concern,” said Shanahan, referring to the injuries to Collins, West and Thompson.
West opened both games at defensive tackle alongside Osa Odighizuwa, and Gracen Halton was in that group in last Sunday’s five-lineman front. Through two weeks, West sits last among 120 defensive tackles by Pro Football Focus.
To help patch the group, the 49ers signed defensive tackle Naquon Jones off the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad. Jones checks in at 6-foot-3 and 313 pounds, and he has appeared in 60 games while bouncing through six franchises since entering the league as an undrafted free agent from Michigan State in 2021.
The 49ers also confirmed additions to their practice squad at receiver Brandin Cooks and defensive lineman Viiami Fehoko Jr.
Cooks arrives as the team keeps losing bodies in the passing game. Ricky Pearsall has been out with a knee injury since camp, De’Zhaun Stribling is dealing with an ankle injury from Week 1, and Demarcus Robinson was hurt in Week 2.
“We’re down on guys so it’s awesome to get a guy in who’s done it before,” Shanahan said. “He knows we’re down guys so he’ll have an opportunity to get up, eventually. He’s got to learn the offense and get used to it, hopefully he can show it this week or the next few weeks.”
As the Cardinals’ visit Sunday approaches, the 49ers were without Thompson, Robinson and Mike Evans, who is dealing with a hip injury, at their first practice of the week. Defensive end Romello Height also missed practice after hand surgery Monday, though he has not been ruled out for Sunday.
Meanwhile, defensive end Nick Bosa, linebacker Dre Greenlaw, running back Christian McCaffrey and left tackle Trent Williams were not practicing, but were conditioning on the side under their weekly routine.
In Other News...
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49ers Week 3 Injury Picture Centers On Two Crucial Veterans
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What stands out most is how much attention the 49ers linebacker group continues to draw from the other side. Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett and head coach Mike LaFleur both singled out the duo for the way they play, a sign that San Franciscos front seven still commands respect even as the injury report adds a layer of uncertainty heading into the weekend. [Read more 🡒]