The San Francisco 49ers badly need some help on their defensive line following a season-ending triceps injury for defensive tackle Javon Hargrave.
While the club may explore external options at some point via trade, one reinforcement will be coming internally.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan on Monday told reporters in his conference call that he anticipates defensive tackle Kalia Davis will have his 21-day practice window opened Wednesday, putting him on track to return to the field as soon as the team believes he’s ready.
Davis has been on IR since suffering a knee injury in the 49ers’ preseason opener. That injury required surgery that Shanahan initially said would keep him out for about half the season.
It isn’t quite half the season going into Week 5, but the 49ers would surely take it if he’s able to step in and contribute right away.
With Hargrave out, the 49ers elevated undrafted rookie Evan Anderson from the practice squad for Week 4.
Davis, a sixth-round pick in the 2022 draft, made his debut in 2023 after a knee injury in college cost him his rookie campaign. Last season Davis played in three games and posted 1.0 sacks. He won’t be a starter, but he should add some more depth to a group where it’ll be all hands on deck trying to replace a player like Hargrave.
The 49ers will have 21 days to activate Davis off IR. If they don’t activate him after that window he’ll be placed on season-ending IR. All signs point to him returning relatively quickly once he’s activated.
San Francisco won’t have any tough decisions to make when bringing him back. They have two open roster spots so activating him won’t require a corresponding move.
