49ers rule out Ford; promote Grasu

The San Francisco 49ers downgraded edge rusher Dee Ford to “out” for Sunday’s Week 2 matchup against the New York Jets. Ford suffered neck stiffness and neck spasms this past week. Ford was limited during the 2019 season, and missing the second game already in 2020 is concerning. Ford played 46 snaps during Week 1 and finished with one tackle.

The 49ers promoted C Hroniss Grasu from the practice squad for the second-straight week. That move suggests Ben Garland is still not ready to return from a high-ankle sprain. Grasu performed well during Week 1, as John Lynch said he graded out highly in their system. The Jets do not have a pass rusher along the interior that appears to be a threat. Quinnen Williams has not impressed early in his career.

The promotion of Grasu isn’t surprising. Dion Jordan was the edge rusher from the practice squad that would have made sense, but I’m curious if we see Kentavius Street activated, and the team bumps Solomon Thomas to the outside in Ford’s absence. That’s not great for Thomas’s development inside, but Robert Saleh has mentioned in the past that Thomas is the 49ers’ next-best option. Then again, Arik Armstead could remain on the edge. Saleh kicked Armstead, Bosa, and Ford inside a lot last week against the Cardinals. We’ll see how it shakes out on Sunday. Ford missing a game will have an impact, even against the Jets. Hopefully, one of the other pass rushers steps up in his absence.