The 49ers on Saturday added defensive lineman Ronald Blair and offensive tackle Darrell Williams to their 53-man roster to be eligible to play Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.
To create roster space for Blair and Williams, the 49ers placed wide receiver Pierre Garçon on season-ending injured reserve with a neck injury and released offensive lineman Bryce Harris.
The 49ers signed Harris this week in order for him compete against Williams for the duty of being the 49ers’ backup tackle behind likely starters Trent Brown and Erik Magnuson. Left tackle Joe Staley is expected to miss two games with an orbital fracture of his right eye. Veteran backup Garry Gilliam is also unavailable due to a knee injury.
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Williams, who spent the first eight weeks on the 49ers’ practice squad, will be in uniform for the first time on Sunday during the regular season. He originally signed with the 49ers as an undrafted rookie from Western Kentucky.
Blair is set to make his season debut after going on injured reserve after the initial cut to 53 players in September. Blair underwent surgery on his hand and returned to practice two weeks ago.
The 49ers selected Blair in the fifth round of the 2016 draft from Appalachian State. He recorded three sacks in 16 games as a rookie.