Kaleb Ramsey, Trey Millard return to 49ers practice

The San Francisco 49ers dealt with bad injury news today, but the day wraps with some good news. The team announced that rookie defensive tackle Kaleb Ramsey and rookie fullback Trey Millard were activated off the PUP and NFI lists, respectively. The two players can practice with the team for the next 21 days, at which point the 49ers will have to decide whether to active them to the 53-man roster, or place them on season-ending injured reserve.

Ramsey and Millard represent the 49ers two 7th round picks from the May draft. Ramsey had an injury riddled career at Boston College, but was seemingly healthy when the 49ers selected him. However, he got injured at some point in the offseason workout program, and opened training camp on the PUP list. The 49ers have solid defensive line depth, particularly with Glenn Dorsey returning soon. However, the team waived Demarcus Dobbs, and Ian Williams could be out for an extended period of time, so another option could be helpful.

Millard tore his ACL on October 26, 2013, and has been rehabbing ever since. He spent the offseason workout program rehabbing, and then opened training camp on the NFI list. At 6'2, 247 pounds, Millard is a guy who could contribute on special teams and be a utility guy on offense.

The decision to bring them back to practice does not guarantee either will join the 53-man roster, but the fact that the 49ers are activating them to practice for this week is interesting. They could have waited until as late as next Monday, so this could mean they see them far enough along that they could contribute this year. Or, they just want to get them back to practice and just see how things look over the next three weeks. We'll see.