49ers Placed C.J. West on Injured Reserve
The team signed veteran defensive tackle Naquan Jones to help bolster the roster’s depth.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Football
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The San Francisco 49ers have placed defensive tackle C.J. West on injured reserve following the discovery of a bone chip in his knee. West is scheduled for surgery, though the injury is not considered season-ending.
Why it matters
The team moved to sign Naquan Jones from the Minnesota Vikings practice squad to bolster defensive depth after multiple injuries hit the position group. Managing these personnel gaps is critical as the team navigates a stretch of health concerns before upcoming games.
New signing Naquan Jones brings experience from 60 career NFL games and eight starts. He joins a defensive tackle unit currently limited to just three healthy players on the active roster.
The players
C.J. West
He is a defensive tackle for the San Francisco 49ers currently dealing with a knee injury.
Naquan Jones
He is a veteran defensive tackle who previously played for the Minnesota Vikings and has 60 games of NFL experience.
Brandin Cooks
He is a 33-year-old veteran wide receiver recently signed to the 49ers practice squad.
San Francisco 49ers
This is a professional American football team based in Santa Clara, California, that competes in the NFL.
The details
In addition to the moves at defensive tackle, the 49ers added 33-year-old receiver Brandin Cooks to their practice squad. The team is also monitoring injuries to defensive players Alfred Collins and James Thompson Jr. while managing receiver Mike Evans ahead of Sunday’s game.
Timeline
Wednesday: C.J. West was officially placed on injured reserve.
Wednesday afternoon: Naquan Jones participated in his first practice with the team.
Sunday: The 49ers are scheduled to play against the Arizona Cardinals.
Season Trajectory
The acquisition of Naquan Jones highlights the team's ongoing struggle to maintain defensive front depth amidst a flurry of early-season injuries. This roster churn directly impacts the rotation available for the upcoming playoff push and defensive stability.
The addition of Naquan Jones provides an immediate fill-in for the defensive tackle rotation that was down to just three active players. Readers should track his snap count in the upcoming game against the Arizona Cardinals to determine his impact on the team's defensive effectiveness.
The takeaway
Maintaining roster depth remains a primary challenge for teams managing multiple concurrent injuries to key starters. Clubs must remain aggressive in scouting veteran practice squad talent to fill gaps on short notice.
Further reading
For more updates on the roster, visit the Football section.
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