49ers Sign Defensive Lineman Naquan Jones

On Wednesday, the San Francisco 49ers announced several key roster adjustments, including the signing of defensive lineman Naquan Jones and the placement of defensive lineman C.J. West on injured reserve. Additionally, the club added receiver Brandin Cooks and defensive lineman Viliami Fehoko Jr. to the practice squad while releasing cornerback Jakob Robinson.

Defensive Line Shuffling Following C.J. West’s Injury Placement

The 49ers brought in Naquan Jones to bolster their defensive depth after placing C.J. West on injured reserve. West started each of the team’s first two games this season, accumulating five total tackles before sustaining his injury. With West sidelined, San Francisco acted quickly to stabilize the interior of their defense.

Here is why that matters for the defensive rotation: Naquan Jones brings NFL experience to the roster. At 28 years old, Jones spent the offseason program and training camp with the Houston Texans before spending time on the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad. His career ledger includes 12 appearances split between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Texans last year, where he tallied 13 total tackles.

Prior to his stint with the Chargers and Texans, Jones built his professional foundation across multiple organizations. His career path includes stints with the Tennessee Titans from 2021 to 2023 and the Arizona Cardinals through the 2023 and 2024 seasons.

Expanding Depth with Brandin Cooks and Practice Squad Updates

Beyond the immediate defensive line moves, San Francisco used Wednesday’s transactions to reshape their practice squad. Receiver Brandin Cooks headlines the additions to the training unit. Cooks brings a presence to the 49ers’ offensive infrastructure.

Photo: nbcsports.com

Alongside Cooks, the franchise signed defensive lineman Viliami Fehoko Jr. to the practice squad. To clear the necessary room within the practice squad allocation, the organization released cornerback Jakob Robinson. These calculated adjustments provide the coaching staff with immediate depth options as the regular season accelerates.

San Francisco 49ers Roster Transactions

Player	Position	Action	Previous Context / Notes
Naquan Jones	Defensive Lineman	Signed to Active Roster	Last with Vikings practice squad; 13 tackles in 12 games last year with Chargers/Texans.
C.J. West	Defensive Lineman	Placed on Injured Reserve	Started first two games of the season; recorded 5 total tackles.
Brandin Cooks	Wide Receiver	Signed to Practice Squad	Added to the offensive training unit.
Viliami Fehoko Jr.	Defensive Lineman	Signed to Practice Squad	Added to bolster practice squad defensive line depth.
Jakob Robinson	Cornerback	Released from Practice Squad	Released to clear space for incoming practice squad signings.

Managing Personnel Through the Early Season Grid

Roster management in September requires a delicate balance between immediate injury mitigation and long-term depth development. By securing Naquan Jones for the active roster, the 49ers ensure that the defensive trenches maintain a necessary rotation floor. Meanwhile, integrating a playmaker like Brandin Cooks into the practice squad offers a mechanism to evaluate talent on the fly.

As the season progresses past the opening month, these foundational depth moves often dictate a franchise’s resilience. Keep an eye on how quickly Jones integrates into defensive coordinator schemes and whether Cooks earns an elevation to the active match-day roster in the coming weeks.