The San Francisco 49ers hosted free-agent defensive end Jah Joyner for a visit Wednesday, according to the NFL's transaction report, as the team continues to explore options along its defensive front ahead of the 53-man roster deadline.
Joyner, a former Minnesota standout, signed with the Las Vegas Raiders as an undrafted free agent following the 2025 NFL draft. He spent that preseason with Las Vegas before being waived in August, ahead of the regular season. His path since has taken him through the UFL, where the Dallas Renegades drafted him in January before releasing him in March. The Houston Gamblers claimed him the following day and he spent the 2026 UFL season there.
At Minnesota, Joyner developed into a productive pass rusher over his final
two collegiate seasons, recording 12 sacks with 50 tackles and 13 tackles for loss. At 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds, he tested well at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, showcasing the length and athleticism that made him a draft-eligible prospect despite going unselected. He's drawn interest from other teams as a free agent as well, including a workout with the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier this summer.
The visit comes at a notable moment for San Francisco's roster-building process. The 49ers worked out three other edge rushers — Viliami Fehoko, Ron Stone and Diwun Black — over the weekend, signaling the team is actively canvassing the free-agent and street-agent pool for depth at the position as final cuts approach.
San Francisco will close out its preseason slate Thursday against the Raiders at Allegiant Stadium, Joyner's former team, before finalizing its 53-man roster. Whether the visit leads to a workout, a tryout during the game week or simply due diligence remains to be seen, but it fits a pattern of the 49ers kicking tires on complementary pass-rush pieces late in the summer.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers host free-agent edge rusher ahead of final preseason game
