The San Francisco 49ers officially placed defensive tackle Gracen Halton on season-ending injured reserve on Tuesday, capping a promising rookie campaign cut short by a broken ankle. Halton sustained the injury during the Week 9 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, a setback head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed would end the fourth-round pick’s year. The move clears a crucial roster spot, which the 49ers are expected to utilize for wide receiver Keenan Allen, acquired in a trade just before the deadline. This strategic adjustment allows San Francisco to integrate the veteran playmaker without displacing a key contributor, optimizing their roster flexibility for the final stretch of the season.
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Halton’s departure leaves a noticeable gap in a defensive front that was finally coalescing around star interior lineman DeForest Buckner. Despite the early exit, Halton delivered significant production in his eight appearances, starting two games and recording 15 tackles, five tackles for loss, and two sacks. His ability to generate pressure and disrupt passing lanes made him a valuable asset, and his absence forces the defense to rely more heavily on its established core. The timing of the injury is particularly painful, as the unit had just begun to find its rhythm and synergy in the second half of the season.
To address the void at defensive tackle, the 49ers are poised to activate second-year DT CJ West from injured reserve. West, who suffered a knee injury in Week 2, is due back and could be activated for Sunday’s matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. The team has until Saturday to clear a roster spot for West if they intend to have him ready for the game. This return provides a direct replacement for depth, though the 49ers will need to manage the workload carefully as they navigate the final weeks of the regular season without their rookie standout.
Source: Yahoo Sports
