Tag: Jeremiah Valoaga

Jets sign former 49ers defensive end with ties to Robert Saleh

Jeremiah Valoaga last played for Robert Saleh in San Francisco. Now the two are reuniting with the Jets.

The Jets continued adding to their defensive line Tuesday.

Gang Green signed former 49ers defensive end Jeremiah Valoaga, according to SNY’s Ralph Vacchiano. Valoaga last played in 2019 after opting out of the 2020 season. He played in four games for Robert Saleh’s defensive unit from Weeks 13-16, tallying two tackles and one pass breakup in 44 snaps.

Valoaga was a member of the Raiders when he opted out last season.

The 6-foot-6, 275-pound defender began his NFL career as an undrafted free agent for the Lions in 2017. He recorded five tackles, five quarterback hits and one sack in nine games.

Valoaga now joins a crowded defensive line group filled with talent. He will have a chance to carve out a role in training camp, but he looks more like a practice squad possibility for the Jets.

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Rashaan Melvin among several ex-Lions opting out for 2020

Melvin is now with the Jacksonville Jaguars after spending 2019 as a Lions starter

Rashaan Melvin is confirmed to be one of the 66 NFL players who will sit out the 2020 NFL season due to COVID-19 pandemic concerns. The cornerback is one of two Jacksonville Jaguars who elected to opt out.

Melvin spent the 2019 season as a starting CB for the Detroit Lions, with varying degrees of success. He is one of several former Lions players who chose to opt out, per the agreement between the NFL and the NFLPA.

Other former Lions players who chose to opt out:

  • Larry Warford, free agent
  • Rolan Milligan, S, Colts
  • Leo Koloamatangi, OL, Jets
  • Jeremiah Valoaga, EDGE, Raiders
  • Cole Wick, TE, Saints

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49ers release DL Jeremiah Valoaga, sign DL Anthony Zettel

The 49ers bolstered their defensive line depth by swapping out Jeremiah Valoaga for another defensive lineman Anthony Zettel.

The 49ers on Monday attempted to bolster their struggling pass rush by swapping a pair of reserve defensive linemen. San Francisco announced the release of defensive lineman Jeremiah Valoaga, who was replaced on the active roster by defensive lineman Anthony Zettel.

Valoaga had two tackles and played 44 defensive snaps in four games after being activated off the practice squad following a season-ending injury to Damontre Moore. He was a preseason star for the 49ers with 4.5 sacks. His productivity in the regular season was minimal though for a unit that badly needs depth.

The 49ers are hoping Zettel provides a little more production. He has just 7.5 sacks in four NFL seasons after being drafted in the sixth round of the 2016 draft by the Detroit Lions. 49ers defensive line coach Kris Kocurek held the same position in Detroit for the first two seasons of Zettel’s career.

Zettel’s second season was his best, when he posted 6.5 sacks in 16 starts for Detroit.  He spent 2018 in Cleveland where he put up 14 tackles and three tackles for loss in 15 games. Cincinnati signed him for four games this year before cutting him in December.

The 49ers won’t need Zettel to star for them. They do need him to be more effective than Valoaga was though and give some more productive snaps late in games to help limit the snaps of San Francisco’s top linemen.

49ers officially place Damontre Moore on IR, add DL to roster

The 49ers shuffled their defensive line after Damontre Moore’s season ended due to a broken forearm.

The 49ers on Wednesday officially announced a trio of expected roster moves. Defensive lineman Damontre Moore was placed on Injured Reserve with a broken forearm, and defensive lineman Jeremiah Valoaga was elevated from the practice squad. Valoaga was replaced on the practice squad by Alex Barrett.

Moore was hurt in Sunday night’s win over the Packers and played through most of the game with a broken arm. He was a preseason star for San Francisco who was re-signed two weeks ago after Ronald Blair III went on IR with a torn ACL. He had five tackles, a quarterback hit and a forced fumble in two games.

Valoaga was also very good for the 49ers in the preseason. He finished with 4.5 sacks – the second highest total in the NFL for the exhibition season. He made his way to the 49ers via the Lions after Detroit signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2017. All nine of his games came in his rookie season. He had 1.0 sacks, five tackles, two tackles for loss and five quarterback hits in those nine games.

The 49ers will likely turn to Valoaga right away when they face the Ravens in Baltimore. A deep defensive line rotation is necessary against their run-heavy offense.

Valoaga’s vacated practice squad spot was filled by defensive lineman Alex Barrett. Barrett was also a Lions undrafted free agent in 2017. He played two games for Detroit in that season. Valoaga and Barrett both spent time under 49ers defensive line coach Kris Kocurek when he held that position for the Lions.

Damontre Moore to go on IR with broken forearm

The 49ers lost another defensive end Sunday.

The 49ers can’t seem to keep their defensive ends healthy. Damontre Moore, who replaced the injured Ronald Blair III after he tore his ACL, broke his forearm in Sunday night’s win over the Packers according to head coach Kyle Shanahan.

He told reporters Monday that Moore suffered the broken forearm during the Packers game and played through it. Shanahan didn’t learn it was broken until after his postgame press conference.

Moore was a preseason star for San Francisco, but couldn’t land a roster spot with so much depth at defensive end. He went unsigned until the 49ers re-added him after Blair went down in the team’s Week 10 loss to the Seahawks.

He played two games for the 49ers and posted five tackles, one quarterback hit and a forced fumble that helped ice a Week 11 win over the Cardinals.

Shanahan said Moore will likely be replaced by Jeremiah Valoaga from the practice squad. Valoaga also had a stellar preseason where he finished second in the league with 4.5 sacks. His performance was enough to earn him a practice squad spot. The 25-year-old former Lion played nine games for Detroit as an undrafted rookie in 2017. He had 1.0 sacks, five tackles, two tackles for loss and five quarterback hits in those nine games.

With Dee Ford nursing a hamstring injury, Valoaga could get thrust into action quickly once he’s added to the roster.