49ers Place DT CJ West On IR

West started for the 49ers in decisive wins over the Rams and Dolphins, but he will miss at least four games as a result of a bone chip in his knee. The 6-foot-1, 316-pounder will undergo surgery, though head coach Kyle Shanahan said it will not end his season (via Nick Wagoner of ESPN). He played 40% of defensive snaps and made five tackles before suffering the injury.

Jones spent three weeks on the Vikings’ practice squad after the Texans released him in late August. The 6-3, 313-pounder debuted with the Titans in 2021 and has since seen regular-season action with three other teams. While dividing 2025 between the Texans and Chargers, Jones totaled 13 tackles in 12 games. He has racked up 102 tackles, 10 quarterback hits and 6.5 sacks during his 60-game, eight-start career.

Jones will give the 49ers a much-needed healthy interior defender to join Osa Odighizuwa and rookie Gracen Halton. James Thompson is also on the roster, but Shanahan said this week that he has a high ankle sprain and could go on IR (via Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area). The 49ers already lost Alfred Collins to a season-ending knee injury in the lead-up to Week 1.

West is now the seventh 49er on IR who has a chance to return this year, as Maiocco notes. Cornerback Nate Hobbs, receivers De’Zhaun Stribling and Christian Kirk, defensive end Sam Okuayinonu, linebacker Nick Martin and offensive lineman Austen Pleasants are in the same boat as West. Teams are only allowed to activate eight players from IR during the regular season, leaving the injury-plagued 49ers in an unenviable position two weeks into the campaign. If 2-0 San Francisco continues its strong play and makes the postseason, the club will receive two more activations.