The San Francisco 49ers are continuing to fortify their tight end depth, signing veteran free agent Jack Stoll to the practice squad, per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.
The move comes on the heels of a difficult roster squeeze for the 49ers' tight end room. During the team's Week 1 victory over the Los Angeles Rams, backup tight end Jake Tonges suffered a severe knee injury
in the second quarter that head coach Kyle Shanahan admitted "wasn't good," pointing to a significant MCL issue.The injury leaves San Francisco thin at the position while All-Pro starter George Kittle is carefully managed following his expedited return from a January Achilles tear. Though Kittle suited up for the opener, he played on a restricted snap count. While the team promoted
former seventh-round pick Brayden Willis to the active roster to back up Luke Farrell, adding Stoll provides crucial, experienced insurance in the trenches.
Stoll enters the Bay Area as a proven commodity with a reputation as a stout, reliable inline blocker. Originally signed as an undrafted free agent out of Nebraska by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2021, he spent three seasons in Philly and established himself as a core component of run-heavy schemes that perennially ranked among the league's best rushing attacks.
Over his five-year NFL career, Stoll has spent time with the Eagles, Miami Dolphins, and New Orleans Saints. Last season, he appeared in 15 games with four starts for the Saints, hauling in six receptions for 46 yards and scoring his first career regular-season touchdown. He spent the 2026 offseason on the Cleveland Browns practice squad before being released ahead of the regular season.
Across 76 career regular-season appearances, Stoll has recorded 28 receptions for 239 yards and a touchdown, alongside dependable contributions on special teams. Stoll's arrival gives the 49ers vital veteran depth on the practice squad as they navigate Tonges' multi-week absence and look to preserve health moving forward.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers sign veteran TE to the practice squad
