49ers sign DL Naquan Jones to practice squad; release LB Eugene Asante
The San Francisco 49ers announced Oct. 21, 2026 that they signed defensive lineman Naquan Jones to the team’s practice squad and released linebacker Eugene Asante to create the roster spot. The team posted the move on its official transaction log. Jones had been on the 49ers’ active roster earlier this season before the roster change. The club listed the transaction Oct. 21, 2026.
Jones (6-3, 313) entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Tennessee Titans on May 13, 2021. According to the team release, he has appeared in 63 NFL games with eight starts and has recorded 104 tackles, 6.5 sacks and five passes defensed in his career. He has also played in three postseason contests (one start), totaling seven tackles and half a sack. The team listed those career totals in the announcement.
The 28-year-old native of Evanston, Ill., has spent time with multiple organizations during his professional career, including the Tennessee Titans (2021-23), Arizona Cardinals (2023-24), Miami Dolphins (2024), Los Angeles Chargers (2025), Houston Texans (2025-26), Minnesota Vikings (2026) and San Francisco 49ers (2026). Jones signed to the Vikings’ practice squad on Sept. 1, 2026, then signed to the 49ers’ active roster on Sept. 23 before the club released him on Oct. 20. He played five seasons at Michigan State (2016-20), appearing in 46 games and totaling 78 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. The team included those college totals in its release.
Linebacker Eugene Asante (6-1, 222) signed to the 49ers’ practice squad on Oct. 15, 2026 and the club released him Oct. 21, 2026 to open the spot for Jones. The club listed the transaction Oct. 21, 2026. The team did not provide further injury or contract details in the announcement.
NFL Sports Blog Take
Adding Naquan Jones gives the 49ers additional depth along the defensive line with a veteran who has appeared in multiple regular-season and postseason games. His size and 63-game resume provide experience for a rotation spot or contingency depth on the practice squad, while the release of Asante reflects the routine churn that accompanies practice-squad management during the season. Jones’ recent movement between practice squads and the active roster this month highlights how teams shuffle depth based on short-term needs and availability.