The San Francisco 49ers have signed former Canadian Football League defensive back Chris Edwards to a reserve/futures contract, according to Howard Balzer.


The British Columbia Lions released Edwards on Tuesday so the defensive back could pursue NFL opportunities.

Edwards, 27, appeared in all 18 regular-season games for the Lions this past season and recorded 50 tackles, an interception, and a sack. He spent the previous two years with the Edmonton Eskimos, where he racked up 62 tackles, three interceptions, and two forced fumbles in 35 games.

Edwards played two seasons at Butte College before transferring to Idaho for the 2014 season. He registered 76 tackles, three interceptions, and one touchdown through 18 games over two seasons.

The defensive back signed with the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2016 but did not make the final roster.

Edwards is the third player the 49ers have signed to a reserve/futures contract this month. The team also signed defensive end Jonathan Kongbo and defensive back Derrick Kindred.

A reserve/futures contract keeps a player tied to a team but doesn't go into effect until the start of the new league year.