The San Francisco 49ers on Saturday announced a pair of roster moves that will provide depth in the trenches when they visit the Houston Texans on Sunday.
Offensive lineman Nick Zakelj and defensive end Trevis Gipson were both elevated from the practice squad to the active roster for Week 8. Both are standard elevations so Zakelj and Gipson will revert back to the practice squad after Sunday’s game.
Zakelj, a 2022 sixth-round pick, has two starts in 27 games as a pro. He was also elevated for Week 7 vs. the Atlanta Falcons and played four snaps on offense and four snaps on special teams. Zakelj gives the 49ers depth at all three interior offensive line spots while center Jake Brendel is out with a hamstring injury. Right guard Dominick Puni has also been battling a knee injury since the preseason and rookie seventh-round left guard Connor Colby has not necessarily solidified himself as an every-down player.
Gipson was recently released from the 49ers’ active roster, but he re-signed to the practice squad almost immediately. He’ll provide much-needed depth at defensive end while Bryce Huff and Yetur Gross-Matos both deal with hamstring injuries. Robert Beal and Sam Okuayinonu figure to be the primary edge rushers with rookie first-round pick Mykel Williams also taking reps outside. Gipson should play a significant role Sunday against a porous Houston offensive line.
Sunday will mark Gipson’s fourth appearance with the 49ers this season. In his previous three games he notched one tackle and one fumble recovery across 41 defensive snaps.
The 49ers and Texans kick off from NRG Stadium at 10:00am Pacific Time on Sunday.
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