The San Francisco 49ers announced today that TE Blake Bell has been placed on injured reserve, ending his season. Bell was one of at least three players that 49ers head coach Chip Kelly said would be lost for the remainder of the season. To take his spot on the roster, the team has signed TE Jim Dray to a one-year deal. The 49ers also signed LB Brandon Chubb to the practice squad.
The 49ers had room on their practice squad due to a signing by another team. It is unknown which player was signed.
Bell went down following a 45-yard catch in the second quarter of the 49ers' 41-13 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. He was carted to the locker room following the play. The 49ers have already lost TE Vance McDonald, who suffered a shoulder injury during the overtime loss to the New York Jets.
Selected out of Oklahoma in the 4th round of the 2015 NFL Draft, Bell was bound to get more playing time due to the injury of McDonald. Over his two seasons with the 49ers, Bell has 19 receptions for 271 yards.
During his college career, Bell played quarterback for Oklahoma. However, with the emergence of Trevor Knight in 2014, Bell was moved to tight end.
Bell joins LB Nick Bellore, who was placed on injured reserve earlier today.
Dray was originally drafted out of Stanford by the Arizona Cardinals in the 7th round of the 2010 NFL Draft. Throughout his seven-year NFL career, he has appeared in 91 games, starting 37, and has 56 receptions for 605 yards and three touchdowns. In addition to the Cardinals, Dray has spent time with the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills. This season with Buffalo, he played in four games with one start prior to being released on October 4.
Chubb was originally signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent on May 6. He spent training camp with the team and was released on September 3. The Rams signed Chubb to the practice squad on September 5, was waived on September 12, and then spent time with the Detroit Lions' practice squad before being released on December 17.
