The San Francisco 49ers are making significant roster changes ahead of their matchup against the Detroit Lions, particularly in their offensive line due to a series of injuries. Undrafted rookie center Drake Nugent has been elevated to the active roster and is set to make his NFL debut during the highly anticipated 'Monday Night Football' game at Levi’s Stadium. Nugent, a former standout at Stanford, has been brought in to help bolster the 49ers' offensive line, which has been severely impacted by injuries.
In a move to address their depth, the 49ers placed guard Aaron Banks on injured reserve. Additionally, they activated rookie linebacker Tatum Bethune, who had been sidelined for the past five games due to a sprained knee suffered in Week 11 against the Seattle Seahawks. The team also elevated defensive lineman Alex Barrett from the practice squad. The recent injury list for the 49ers includes notable offensive tackles Trent Williams and Jaylon Moore, both of whom have been placed on injured reserve, alongside Spencer Burford, who has been ruled out for the game.
To further strengthen their offensive line, the 49ers signed several new players, including Austen Pleasants, Charlie Heck, and Matt Hennessy, to the active roster. Nugent’s collegiate career includes 42 games played with 39 starts, where he earned recognition as an All-Big Ten selection and contributed to Michigan's national championship victory in his final season.
