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The shorthanded San Francisco 49ers are 5-3 before getting set to play the New York Giants in Week 9. More News: Two College Football Programs Reached Out to Marcus Freeman: Report The 49ers are behind the (5-2) Seattle Seahawks and (5-2) Los Angeles Rams for first place in the NFC West despite battling significant injuries for the entire season. Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has to return this year while he recovers from his knee injury from 2024. Quarterback Brock Purdy has missed the 49ers’ previous four games as he battled a toe injury. It’s unclear if he’ll play the Giants. SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 19: A detail shot of a San Francisco 49ers helmet on the bench during the NFL 2025 game between Atlanta Falcons and San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on October 19, 2025 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) More News: Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman Gives Brian Kelly Brutal Reality Check The defense has also been hard in recent weeks. Linebacker Fred Warner suffered an ankle injury that could keep him out until at least the postseason. Defensive end Nick Bosa is out for the season with a torn ACL he suffered against the Arizona Cardinals in September. Defensive end Bryce Huff missed Sunday’s loss against the Houston Texans with a hamstring issue he sustained in Week 7. With the 49ers needing depth at pass rusher, the team elevated Trevis Gipson from the practice squad to the active roster four times this season, including San Francisco’s game against the Texans on Sunday. He recorded two total tackles and a fumble recovery. Per Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer, the Carolina Panthers signed Gipson off the 49ers practice squad on Tuesday. “The Panthers are signing OLB Trevis Gipson off the 49ers practice squad, per a league source,” Kaye wrote. “The team will need to make a corresponding move for the deal to be official.” The #Panthers are signing OLB Trevis Gipson off the #49ers practice squad, per a league source.The team will need to make a corresponding move for the deal to be official.— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) October 28, 2025 Following his fourth elevation on Sunday, San Francisco needed to sign Gipson to the 53-man roster for him to play for them in another game in the regular season. Per Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, the 49ers are looking to boost the defense. San Francisco worked out three players, including former Washington Commanders defensive end Clelin Ferrell. “49ers update: working out Clelin Ferrell, Kingsley Jonathan, Andrew Farmer today, per a league (source),” Wilson posted. #49ers update: working out Clelin Ferrell, Kingsley Jonathan, Andrew Farmer today, per a league sourcr @KPRC2— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 28, 2025 It’ll be interesting to see who the 49ers bring in to add depth at defensive end. Given San Francisco’s strong start to the season, they could make a move for pass-rushing help before the trade deadline on Nov. 4. Huff could return within the next few games, but the 49ers have a considerable hole after losing Bosa. For more on the 49ers and the NFL, head to Newsweek Sports.
