49ers signing veteran defensive tackle off Vikings practice squad

49ers rookie defensive tackle James Thompson Jr. suffered a high-ankle sprain on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins and is expected to miss several weeks.

The team previously lost defensive tackle Alfred Collins for the season due to a knee injury.

The Tennessee Titans signed Jones (6-3, 313) as an undrafted free agent out of Michigan State in 2021. He spent his first two-plus seasons in Tennessee before being waived in November 2023. Jones then spent time with the Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans, and Vikings.

During the 2025 season, Jones appeared in 12 games split between the Chargers and Texans. In those appearances, he recorded 13 tackles, one tackle for loss, one quarterback hit, and one pass defensed, according to Pro Football Reference.

Over five NFL seasons, Jones has appeared in 60 games, recording 102 tackles and 6.5 sacks. His most recent sack came in 2024 with the Cardinals, when he recorded a career-high three sacks in 12 games.