The San Francisco 49ers announced the signing of 24-year-old defensive end Jeremiah Valoaga, which was first reported by Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.
#49ers are signing DE Jeremiah Valoaga, a former undrafted free agent who appeared in nine games for the #Lions in 2017. Spent last season on the #Dolphins' practice squad.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 8, 2019
To make room on the roster, the 49ers waived wide receiver Chris Thompson, who signed with the team on August 3.
The Detroit Lions signed Valoaga as an undrafted free agent out of UNLV in 2017. He registered five combined tackles and a sack through nine games and no starts with the Lions in 2017.
The 49ers have been hit hard by injuries along the defensive line. The team will be without rookie defensive end Nick Bosa throughout the preseason, and pass rusher Dee Ford has been sidelined due to knee tendinitis. Also out are Arik Armstead (calf) and Ronald Blair (groin).
The losses along the defensive front forced Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to take reps at defensive end during Wednesday's practice.