The San Francisco 49ers have been spread thin across the defensive line recently, losing several rotational pieces to multi-week injuries.
San Francisco has been without defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos, who suffered a hamstring injury and hasn’t played since Week 5. Then, Bryce Huff suffered a hamstring injury on the final defensive play against the Atlanta Falcons. To make matters worse, Sam Okuayinonu suffered an ankle injury against the Houston Texans this weekend.
All three players did not practice
on Wednesday.
The lack of depth, as well as a need for pass-rushers, sparked the team to trade for New England Patriots defensive lineman Keion White earlier this week, giving the 49ers another body up front.
But, on Thursday, defensive coordinator Robert Saleh had some good news as he shed some light on the team’s injury situation.
“[Bryce] Huff will be back next week,” Saleh said. “Yetur [Gross-Matos] is back. Sam [Okuayinonu] has been providing some production for us, also. Alfred [Collins] has been surging. Mykel [Williams] is continuing to get better. Again, it’s a young group that’s continuing to evolve and get better.”
Gross-Matos will be a welcome addition if he’s able to make it back for this weekend’s game against the New York Giants. Practicing on Thursday is a good sign for that to happen.
But, White will likely make his debut this weekend for the short-handed 49ers, giving the team another versatile pass-rusher who can work on the interior. On Thursday, Saleh shed light on why the team traded for him and what he can bring with his skillset.
“Coming out [of Auburn], elite athlete,” Saleh said of White. “I mean, he’s got great length, size, and speed. His short-area quickness, his ability to rush the passer on the inside, again, as another interior pass rusher, adding more depth to that. He kind of fits in that role we have, similar to Mykel, outside, being able to kick inside to be more of a speedy rusher, active body. So, we’re looking forward to getting him out there.”
While the 49ers have made one move, more could be coming, even along the defensive line. While Saleh isn’t calling the shots, he certainly wouldn’t mind another addition.
“The adding part, that’s more for John [Lynch] and Kyle [Shanahan] to answer, but I’ll never say no, if you’re listening, John,” Saleh chuckled.
To account for the team’s recent injuries, as well as the loss of practice squad defensive end Trevis Gipson to the Carolina Panthers, the 49ers signed Clelin Ferrell to the practice squad. He could be another candidate to suit up this weekend alongside Williams, White, and potentially Gross-Matos.
