The 49ers announced today that they have signed RB Chris Thompson and DL Eddie Yarbrough to the team’s practice squad. In order to make room on the practice squad, the team released TE Jordan Matthews.
The addition of Thompson and Yarbrough comes after running back JaMycal Hasty and defensive tackle Kevin Givens have both already been ruled out for Sunday’s game against Green Bay. According to head coach Kyle Shanahan, it is likely that both will be placed on the injured reserve.
San Francisco currently has only one running back on the active roster that is fully healthy, Trenton Cannon whom the team claimed off waivers from the Baltimore Ravens last Wednesday, while Kerryon Johnson is on the teams practice squad.
The shoulder injury Elijah Mitchell sustained on Sunday has been ruled as more than a stinger by the club and Trey Sermon is currently in the NFL concussion protocol leaving their availability for this Sunday’s game unclear.
Thompson was originally drafted by the Washington Football Team in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL Draft, and was with the team through the 2019 season. With Washington he appeared in 66 games (one start) and registered 250 carries for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns to go along with 212 receptions for 1,772 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also has appeared in one postseason contest and added one carry for 25 yards and eight receptions for 89 yards.
In 2020, Thompson appeared in eight games with Jacksonville and finished with seven carries for 20 yards and 20 receptions for 146 yards and one touchdown.
With Kevin Givens likely going on injured reserve, bringing in another defensive lineman makes sense and the 49ers are familiar with Yarbrough. He signed with the 49ers on July 27, 2021 and was released by the team on August 31.
Yarbrough originally entered the NFL after signing with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent. Following his release from Denver on prior to the start of the 2016 season, Yarbrough would sign with the Buffalo Bills, where he appeared in 31 games (six starts) and registered 62 tackles, two passes defensed and 1.0 sack in three years with the team through 2019. He also started one postseason contest and added five tackles. In 2020, he spent time on the Minnesota Vikings practice squad, later appearing in four games and finishing with eight tackles
Notes:
Josh Norman (ankle) was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice. The cornerback had been listed on the injury report following the win over Philadelphia.
Elijah Mitchell (shoulder) and Arik Armstead (adductor) did not participate in practice, while Trey Sermon (concussion), Javon Kinlaw (knee), and Emmanuel Moseley (knee) were limited participants.
I know the IR rules are complicated now. Any idea when the guys on IR are eligible to return? Specifically, wondering about Givens, Hasty, Hurst, Hurd, and Wilson.
My understanding is players on the original 53-man roster can be placed on IR and must miss at least 3 weeks before returning.