49ers Sign Naquan Jones to Patch Defensive Line Holes

Key points

• Naquan Jones, a 28-year-old veteran, signed a one-year contract with the 49ers after being waived by the Houston Texans and joining the Minnesota Vikings' practice squad in early September.
• CJ West was placed on injured reserve with a bone chip in his knee; he started the first two games of the season but is expected to undergo surgery and return later in the year.
• Rookie James Thompson Jr. is expected to miss significant time with a high-ankle sprain, leaving the 49ers with only three healthy defensive tackles before the Jones signing.
• The 49ers also signed veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks and defensive lineman Viliami Fehoko Jr. to the practice squad to address injuries in the receiving corps and defensive line.
• Jones has appeared in 60 NFL games over five seasons, recording 102 tackles and 6.5 sacks, though his 2025 pass-rushing metrics were limited.

Background

The 49ers have faced a cascade of injuries to their defensive line and wide receiver corps in the first two weeks of the 2026 season. Prior to this move, the team had already placed several players on injured reserve, including wide receivers Ricky Pearsall, De’Zhaun Stribling, and Christian Kirk, as well as defensive linemen Alfred Collins and Sam Okuayinonu. The team had previously finalized a 13-player practice squad in late August, which included defensive tackle Sebastian Valdez, a player the coaching staff ultimately decided not to elevate to the active roster for game action.

How outlets are covering it

Niners Nation emphasized the immediate need for a run-stopping presence to protect linebackers Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw, noting that Jones’s 2025 pass-rushing stats were weak but his run-stop percentage was acceptable. NBC Sports Bay Area highlighted the surprise nature of CJ West’s injury, as he had not previously appeared on the injury report, and noted that the 49ers are now relying on Jones as a temporary fix while waiting for healthier players to return. The official 49ers release provided comprehensive career statistics for Jones, Cooks, and Fehoko Jr., confirming the one-year nature of Jones’s deal and the practice squad status of the other two additions. ESPN’s source was inaccessible due to a server error, so no perspective could be derived from that outlet.

Why it matters

The signing of Naquan Jones is critical for the 49ers’ defensive stability in the short term. With CJ West out for the season and James Thompson Jr. likely to miss multiple games, the team’s interior defensive line was dangerously thin, with only Osa Odighizuwa and Gracen Halton remaining as healthy options. Jones’s experience and ability to stop the run will help maintain the integrity of the defensive scheme, allowing the 49ers to continue their 3-0 start without exposing their linebackers to excessive pressure. The broader roster moves, including the addition of Brandin Cooks, indicate a team actively managing a deep injury crisis across multiple positions.

What to watch

The 49ers will likely evaluate Jones’s performance in Week 3 to determine if he can secure a permanent role on the active roster or if he will remain a backup. CJ West is expected to undergo surgery for his knee injury, with a return later in the season. The team will also monitor the progress of James Thompson Jr. and other injured players, including wide receivers Demarcus Robinson and Mike Evans, who are currently dealing with ankle and hip issues, respectively. The 49ers may make further roster adjustments as the season progresses to address ongoing depth concerns.