The San Francisco 49ers have updated pass rusher Dee Ford's status for Sunday's game against the New York Jets and ruled him "out" with a neck injury. The team had listed him on Friday as "questionable" before the downgrade.
The 49ers also announced that offensive lineman Hroniss Grasu has been promoted from the practice squad. Ben Garland (ankle) is expected to return and start at center after missing Week 1 but Grasu can serve as his backup.
Ford was a full participant during practice on Wednesday but later complained of some neck stiffness, general manager John Lynch said on KNBR Friday morning. The defender didn't practice on Thursday and underwent tests.
Ford played last weekend and had three tackles against the Arizona Cardinals. San Francisco lost the game 24-20.
Ford dealt with a calf injury leading into the regular season. While knee and hamstring injuries impacted his production last season, the veteran pass rusher still managed to rack up 6.5 sacks through 11 games and two starts while adding another in the playoffs.
The 49ers Communications staff provided the following rundown of Grasu.
Grasu (6-3, 301) was originally drafted by the Chicago Bears in the third round (71st overall) of the 2015 NFL Draft. Throughout his five-year career with the Bears (2015-17), Baltimore Ravens (2018 & 2019), Miami Dolphins (2018) and Tennessee Titans (2019), he has appeared in 18 games (13 starts) along the offensive line. In 2019, Grasu spent time with the Titans and Ravens, appearing in one game for Baltimore. He originally signed with the 49ers as a free agent on August 20, 2020, was released by the team on September 5 and was signed to the team's practice squad the following day. He was promoted to the active roster on September 12 and started the team's season opener against the Arizona Cardinals prior to reverting back to the practice squad on September 14.
A 29-year-old native of Encino, CA, Grasu spent five years (2010-14) at the University of Oregon where he started in each of the 50 games in which he appeared and earned First-Team All-Pac-12 three times in his career (2012-14).
Grasu will wear number 50.
