CB Dontae Johnson elevated from practice squad; WR Jalen Hurd placed on IR

The San Francisco 49ers announced they elevated CB Dontae Johnson from the practice squad ahead of Sunday’s road game against the Detriot Lions. Johnson was the only player who was elevated from the practice squad.

Johnson could start, though the signing of Josh Norman would make far more sense. So I’d say it comes down to either Norman or Demmodore Lenoir, while Johnson plays special teams.

The corresponding move was placing wide receiver Jalen Hurd on the injured reserve. As a result, Hurd will miss at least three games. I’ll be curious to see how long Hurd misses and if he gives the offense anything this season.

It’s early in the season, so counting Hurd out in September doesn’t feel right, but based on everything we’ve seen from the kid, he hasn’t given us much of a reason at all to believe anything will change.

Travis Benjamin not getting called up was a mild surprise. However, that means the team is comfortable with the duo of Brandon Aiyuk and Mohamed Sanu returning punts. How the two are used remains to be seen, but it’s probably wise not to waste a roster spot on Benjamin if all he’s doing is fair-catching punts.