SANTA CLARA — The San Francisco 49ers placed defensive tackle CJ West on injured reserve with a bone chip in his knee that will require surgery, head coach Kyle Shanahan said, though the injury is not considered season-ending. "We hope to get him back sometime," Shanahan said. The move forced a series of roster shuffles as San Francisco's interior depth thins just two games into the season.
The team officially announced the signing of defensive tackle Naquan Jones off the Minnesota Vikings' practice squad and wide receiver Brandin Cooks, while also signing defensive lineman Viliami Fekhoko Jr. and releasing cornerback Jakob Robinson from the practice squad to make room. Shanahan said West was battling an injury during training camp but did not know if this bone chip was the same issue or something new, noting the injury was bothering West a lot after the game. He had appeared out of shape in camp and lacked the same power against the run he showed as a rookie.
The depth has gone from thin to critical with James Thompson Jr. also sidelined by a high-ankle sprain, leaving San Francisco with only three healthy defensive tackles. "Any time you have five defensive tackles make the team, and you're down to two of them through two games, that's always a concern for anybody. We were able to sign one new guy, and we've got three guys on practice squad that'll be competing to see who is up. We've got guys that are in this building. We've got to see how those guys step it up," Shanahan said. The 49ers can bring back only eight players from injured reserve this season, and Shanahan said Thompson and wide receiver Demarcus Robinson are "likely" to land on IR. Current IR list includes CB Nate Hobbs (groin), WR Christian Kirk (calf), LB Nick Martin (hamstring), OL Austen Pleasants (knee), EDGE Sam Okuayinonu (foot), WR De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle) and DT CJ West (knee).
San Francisco listed eight players who will not practice Wednesday: WR Mike Evans (hip), DT James Thompson Jr. (ankle), WR Demarcus Robinson (ankle), EDGE Romello Height (hand), EDGE Nick Bosa (vet day), LB Dre Greenlaw (vet day), RB Christian McCaffrey (vet day) and LT Trent Williams (vet day). Shanahan said Height still has a chance to play this week, saying "I heard he came out good. There's an outside chance he can be available." On Cooks, Shanahan said he will be active as soon as he shows he is one of the five receivers ready to play, but with Wednesday being his first day, there are no guarantees and his availability will depend on how quickly he learns the offense over the next couple of weeks.