Kyle Shanahan explains why the 49ers put in a claim for Terrell Suggs

The San Francisco 49ers were reportedly one of four teams that put in a claim for former Arizona Cardinals and Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs. The edge rusher ultimately went to the Kansas City Chiefs, who owned the worst record, and therefore, the highest claim priority of the interested teams.

The other teams were the Seattle Seahawks and New Orleans Saints.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked on Tuesday about the 49ers' interest in Suggs and said the team saw the opportunity as a way to improve the roster while potentially keeping him out of the hands of any upcoming opponents.

"We just thought he would help us," Shanahan told reporters, "a good pass rusher out there who's a vet. Could help a lot of teams, and we would've definitely preferred for him to help us over people we have to go against."

Suggs expressed a desire to return to the team that drafted him in 2003 and where he spent his first 16 NFL seasons — the Baltimore Ravens.

The Ravens did not put in a claim for Suggs. Of course, there was no need for them do to so if they wanted him. The team is last in the claim order and could have simply re-signed him had he cleared waivers.

Injuries have impacted the 49ers' defensive line as the season comes closer to an end. Defensive end Dee Ford is unlikely to return before the playoffs, if at all. Defensive lineman Jullian Taylor is trying to work his way back from a ligament issue in the elbow, an injury sustained during Week 13 against the Ravens.

Defensive linemen Ronald Blair (knee) and Damontre Moore (forearm) were placed on season-ending injured reserve.

Suggs, 37, has recorded 883 tackles, 138 sacks, a safety, 60 passes defensed, seven interceptions, two touchdowns, and 39 forced fumbles through his 17 NFL seasons. He registered 37 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles through 13 games this season with Arizona.