49ers can address increasing defensive line concerns with pair of no-brainer in-house moves

The San Francisco 49ers weren't exactly deep on the defensive line before Javon Hargrave tore his tricep.

Now, with the Pro Bowl defensive tackle out for the season, the 49ers' situation in an area of the team that had previously traditionally been a strength is looking very bleak.

Defensive end Nick Bosa is continuing to suffer from a lack of pass rush support from the opposite edge rusher spot despite the addition of veteran Leonard Floyd, and the premature end to Hargrave's campaign leaves the 49ers extremely short on the interior.

Starting defensive tackle Maliek Collins has played well next to Hargrave, but the only players behind him on the active roster are Jordan Elliott and Kevin Givens, neither of whom has caught the eye to this point.

Elliott will likely move into a starting role for the Week 4 clash with the New England Patriots, but the 49ers will obviously now need to add depth at the position.

The Niners are hopeful they will be able to get Kalia Davis back in the not too distant future. Davis underwent knee surgery following a strong performance in the preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans.

With Davis' return not imminent, the injury to Hargrave may eventually see the Niners make a move to bring in a player via trade or a free agent signing, with a reunion with former defensive tackle D.J. Jones in a potential trade with the Denver Broncos a possible solution that would be a very popular decision.

But in the immediate future, the response from the 49ers will likely be to make easy in-house moves by signing players to the active roster from the practice squad.

With Hargrave almost certainly set for injured reserve, the 49ers are poised to have two free spots on the active roster, though they figure to eventually be filled by Christian McCaffrey, if he is able to return from Achilles tendinitis after Week 5, and wide receiver Ricky Pearsall. Pearsall will be eligible to come off the non-football injury list after Week 4.

In the meantime, though, the defensive line problem can be addressed by turning to two hidden gems, one of whom has already proven he is worthy of a spot on the 53.

Defensive end Sam Okuayinonu has vindicated his place on the initial 53 and then the practice squad by impressing in the season opener against the New York Jets and in Sunday's heartbreaking defeat to the Los Angeles Rams. He had a pair of run stops in Week 1 and flashed an ability to push the pocket from the edge against the Rams, his efforts in that regard rewarded with a sack.