NASHVILLE — Not only are the 49ers thin at wide receiver but their depth at defensive end is also troubling ahead of Saturday’s preseason opener at the Tennessee Titans.
Austin Bryant, who was bidding to win a roster spot as perhaps their fifth defensive end, was placed Friday on Injured Reserve. Bryant appeared to injury his right ankle Thursday in one-on-one drills, slamming his helmet to the ground in frustration afterward.
With 2022 top draft pick Drake Jackson (knee) ruled out for the season Thursday, the 49ers addressed their depth issues at defensive end by signing Jonathan Garvin, a 20202 Green Bay Packers seventh-round draft pick who recently played with the Birmingham Stallions of the United States Football League.
Friday’s other transactions: tight end Logan Thomas was released following a hamstring injury early in camp; former Pittsburgh Steelers punter Pressley Harvin III signed a one-year deal like Garvin.
Thomas, 33, signed only two months ago as a potential No. 2 tight end and long-sought complement to starter George Kittle. While Thomas rehabilitated from a hamstring injury, Brayden Willis and Eric Saubert made strides this training camp to perhaps secure roster spots. Also in the mix are Cam Latu, Jake Tonges, and, Mason Pline.
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Harvin’s services are likely needed to punt Saturday night in place of Mitch Wishnowsky, who missed three practices recently because of knee irritation.
As for the defensive end spot, the 49ers are unlikely to play Week 1 starters Nick Bosa and Leonard Floyd on Saturday. Yetur Gross-Matos and Robert Beal Jr. are the top reserves so far in camp, with now just Alex Barrett and Garvin in reserve.
AIYUK UPDATE
Negotiations between the 49ers and Brandon Aiyuk are ongoing with an extension still possible, after the disgruntled wide receiver met with coach Kyle Shanahan and others to express “open and candid thoughts,” according to NFL reporters Jordan Schultz and Tom Pelissero.
Shanahan on Tuesday confirmed to reporters the 49ers had granted Aiyuk permission to talk to other teams about a contract if a trade could work for all parties. Aiyuk subsequently balked at potential deals with New England and Cleveland, a source indicated.
