49ers announce OL, CB roster moves for Week 9 depth

The San Francisco 49ers announced some roster moves on Wednesday, as they return to the practice field in preparation for their Week 9 matchup with the Arizona Cardinals. The team announced they have placed safety Jimmie Ward on IR, signed offensive lineman Bryce Harris to a one-year contract, promoted cornerback Greg Mabin from the practice squad, and signed defensive back Tyvis Powell to the practice squad.

Ward suffered a broken arm last week, and the expectation was he would eventually end up on IR. Adrian Colbert replaced Ward at free safety, next to strong safety Jaquiski Tartt. Kyle Shanahan said on Monday that he was leaning toward moving Tartt back to free safety, and Eric Reid from linebacker back to strong safety.

Harris will offer some depth at offensive tackle, likely serving as the swing tackle while Zane Beadles and potentially Trent Brown (if he’s recovered from his concussion) start at left and right tackle. Mabin will provide depth at cornerback following the trade of Rashard Robinson. Ahkello Witherspoon and Dontae Johnson will start outside, and if healthy, K’Waun Williams will be the nickel back. Leon Hall is the primary backup cornerback, and Mabin will slot in after him.

Here is what the 49ers press release had to say about the new members of the 53-man roster.

Harris (6-6, 300) originally entered the NFL after signing with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent on April 30, 2012. He spent part of his rookie season on Atlanta’s practice squad before signing to the New Orleans Saints active roster on September 10, 2012. He appeared in 34 regular season games (four starts) along the Saints offensive line from 2012-14, as well as two postseason contests in 2013. In 2015, Harris was waived by the Saints and claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Falcons on September 6, 2015, where he appeared in one game. Last season, he spent time with the Falcons, Jacksonville Jaguars and Miami Dolphins, but did not see game action.

Harris re-signed with the Saints on May 22, 2017 and appeared in two games this season. After his release from New Orleans on October 18, he signed with the Detroit Lions the following day and was later released from the team on October 26.

A 28-year-old native of Tulare, CA, Harris attended Fresno State where he started in 39 consecutive games after converting to the offensive line from defensive tackle during his redshirt freshman season.

Harris will wear number 64.

Mabin (6-2, 200) was originally signed to the team’s practice squad on October 18, 2017. He entered the NFL after signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent on May 1, 2017. Following his release from the Buccaneers on May 8, he signed with the Buffalo Bills on June 1. On September 12, he was waived by the Bills and later signed to Buffalo’s practice squad on September 14. He made his NFL debut against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 5 where he registered one pass defensed following his promotion to the active roster on October 7. He was waived by the team on October 16.

A 23-year-old native of Fort Lauderdale, FL, Mabin attended the University of Iowa where he appeared in 38 games and registered 144 tackles, 19 passes defensed, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Mabin will wear number 26.

Powell (6-3, 211) originally signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted rookie free agent on May 6, 2016. In eight games played last season, he registered three tackles on special teams. After he was waived by the Seahawks on January 4, 2017, he spent part of the offseason with the Cleveland Browns and was later claimed off waivers by the Indianapolis Colts on June 12. After spending training camp with the Colts, he was placed on the Injured Reserve List on September 3, and later released on September 12. He re-joined the Seahawks on September 19 after signing to the team’s practice squad and was released on October 24.

A 23-year-old native of Bedford, OH, Powell attended Ohio State University where he appeared in 42 games (33 starts) and registered 195 tackles, eight interceptions and 16 passes defensed.