The San Francisco 49ers traded out some internal defensive line depth for some offensive line depth.
In a practice squad move ahead of Wednesday’s practice, San Francisco signed veteran offensive lineman Chris Hubbard to the 17-man unit. To make room they released veteran DE Jonathan Garvin.
Hubbard was with the 49ers during the preseason and battled for the swing tackle job. He was let go and the team opted to bring back veteran Brandon Parker instead of Hubbard when they made some offensive line moves prior to Trent Williams’s return from his hold out.
Having Hubbard gives the 49ers quality OL depth on their practice squad. He joins Isaac Alarcon and undrafted rookie Drake Nugent on that portion of San Francisco’s roster.
Garvin’s release isn’t a huge surprise and it may bode well for Yetur Gross-Matos’s chances to play in Week 2. The 49ers elevated Sam Okuayinonu from the practice squad in Week 1 to provide depth while Gross-Matos missed the game with a knee sprain. If he can’t go in Week 2, Okuayinonu would be the likely replacement again with Garvin no longer on the club.
The 49ers added Garvin during the preseason when injuries started to hit their defensive line. He played 77 snaps across three preseason games, tallying three pressures and five run stops according to Pro Football Focus.
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