The 49ers’ once deep defensive line rotation is starting to dramatically thin out. Dee Ford is dealing with a hamstring injury that may keep him out for the rest of the regular season. Ronald Blair tore his ACL and is out for the year. Damontre Moore broke his arm and is out for the year. Now defensive tackle DJ Jones is due to have his season cut short by an ankle injury.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan told a Bay Area radio station that Jones is set to go on IR due to a high ankle sprain he suffered in the 49ers’ win over the Saints according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area.
Jones would be the 15th player on IR assuming defensive lineman Kentavius Street is added to the 53-man roster. His practice window to return from a preseason knee injury has been open for two weeks, so a direct swap of roster spots between Jones and Street would make sense once San Francisco makes the move official.
The 49ers may have a hard time replacing Jones, who plays an integral run-stopping role on the defensive line. He’s posted 23 tackles, 2.0 sacks and four tackles for loss, all career-highs in a career-high 11 games in his third season. Jones also had a crucial forced fumble in the 49ers’ win over the Saints.
San Francisco’s defensive line depth was its calling card early in the season, but Jones’ departure would leave a pretty big hole in the 49ers’ rotation up front. How effectively they replace him will be a big factor in whether they make a deep postseason run.