The San Francisco 49ers are taking steps to improve the depth of their defense.
Tom Pelissero of NFL Media reported on Wednesday Jonathan Garvin returns to San Francisco's practice squad For the third time this season. He was released on September 11 and re-signed to the practice squad in early October. He was released again at the end of October.
Now he will return to the 49ers' 16-man practice squad. This group is full for San Francisco, so there will be a corresponding move, but it's unclear which player the 49ers will release to make room for Garvin.
Given San Francisco's struggles rushing the passer and a recent hip/oblique injury to DE Nick Bosa, it makes sense to add more internal depth at DE. Without Bosa, the 49ers relied on Leonard Floyd, Yetur Gross-Matos, Sam Okuayinonu and Robert Beal. This group struggled late in the 49ers' Week 11 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, so the team may just be looking for another roster to add to the rotation should Bosa end up missing time.
There is no guarantee that Bosa will be out in Week 12. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday there's a chance the former Defensive Player of the Year will be there. If he can't go, we may see Garvin on the active roster for the first time this season.
Garvin has played in 38 games with one start in three seasons as a professional. He has 32 tackles and 1.5 sacks in the regular season. He recorded three pressures and one quarterback hit in three preseason games for San Francisco this season.