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The San Francisco 49ers activated several players over the last two weeks, and they have more players expected back in the coming days and weeks. One such player is linebacker Nick Moody. The 49ers sixth round pick this past April has been occupying the team's short term injured reserve spot since injuring his hand in Week 1. He returned to practice three weeks ago, and is now eligible to return to the 53-man roster.
On Monday, the media asked Jim Harbaugh if Moody would be activated this week. In response, he said, "Again, decisions are being made. I anticipate that though, yes."
The 49ers will need to clear a roster spot to activate him. This becomes all the more complicated with the potential need for a tight end if Vernon Davis and Garrett Celek are unable to play this coming weekend. Last week's inactives included QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson, WR Quinton Patton, WR Kassim Osgood, CB Eric Wright, DT Quinton Dial, G Joe Looney, and DT Tank Carradine.
Along with that group, Jon Baldwin had 3 snaps on Sunday, Kyle Williams had 20 snaps, but no special teams work and Perrish Cox had one defensive snap and six special teams snaps. The 49ers have four reserve defensive linemen, but with Ray McDonald's ankle injury, the team needs all the depth they can have.
Even if the 49ers don't need to add a tight end, who is the one guy who is gone with the return of Nick Moody?