49ers sign LB Alex Hoffman-Ellis practice squad, according to report

Fooch's Update: Matt Barrows is reporting the 49ers have signed Alex Hoffman-Ellis to the practice squad, and released S David Whitley to make room.

The 49ers had their off-day yesterday, and it looks like the front office kept busy as they worked out former Falcons defensive end Ray Edwards and linebacker Alex Hoffman-Ellis. Neither was signed to a contract following the workout. This comes a week after the team worked out kickers Nate Kaeding and Billy Cundiff.

Edwards was a fourth round pick of the Minnesota Vikings in the 2006 NFL Draft. It sounds like he has been more of a 4-3 defensive end. At 6-5, 270 pounds, he would seem too big to be an outside linebacker, but too small to be a 3-4 defensive end. The 49ers haven't signed him, so this could all be a moot point, but at most, I suppose he could slot in to the nickel defensive end role. He has been a decent pass rusher in the past, peaking in 2009 and 2010 when he had 16.5 sacks over the two seasons.

Alex Hoffman-Ellis is a rookie linebacker out of Washington State, who signed with the St. Louis Rams after going undrafted. He led Washington State in tackles in 2011 and may have spent some time on the Rams practice squad (haven't quite confirmed that). Turf Show Times had a scouting report on him back in May.

Brian Floyd from CougCenter.com is a big fan. Aside from calling him a great quote, he views him as a great athlete who started to get the mental side of the game his senior year. AHE is 6-1, 232 pounds so he is a big undersized for the 49ers defense. According to Brian, he played the Will role in the Cougars 4-3 defense.

It's interesting to see the 49ers working out two guys with more experience in the 4-3 defense than the 3-4. Not really sure what the logic is, but there's obviously some reason behind it. Worst case, they kicked the tires on two guys they were intrigued by and move on.