According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the San Francisco 49ers have claimed former Atlanta Falcons defensive end Takkarist McKinley. He still needs to pass a physical to join the roster. McKinley failed to do so this week with the Cincinnati Bengals, who claimed him off waivers last week. He was waived again on Tuesday.
49ers claimed former Falcons' first-round draft pick Takk McKinley on waivers, per source.
Bengals initially claimed McKinley, but he failed his physical, putting him back on waivers.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 18, 2020
This is the second time since last week that the 49ers put in a claim for McKinley. San Francisco sits at No. 12 in the waiver wire order.
The Falcons drafted McKinley out of UCLA with the No. 26 overall pick in 2017. He has registered seven tackles, a sack, and a pass defensed through four games and 85 snaps this season.
McKinley recorded 13 sacks in his first two NFL seasons but just 4.5 sacks since. He has registered 79 tackles, 22 tackles for a loss, 17.5 sacks, 45 quarterback hits, two passes defensed, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery during his four NFL seasons.
Takk McKinley, an Oakland native, is pleased to go back to the Bay Area after getting claimed by 49ers, and I'm told he's more confident he will pass this physical (failed with Bengals this week). He's been dealing with a groin issue. Every team has different evaluations.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) November 18, 2020
After trading Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the Indianapolis Colts during the offseason, the 49ers' defensive line has been decimated by injuries. Both Nick Bosa and Solomon Thomas were lost for the season with torn ACLs, and Dee Ford has not played since Week 1 due to a back injury.
San Francisco brought in Ziggy Ansah to help alleviate some of the losses, and he too was lost for the year with a biceps injury. Arik Armstead led the team with 10 sacks last year, earning a massive contract during the offseason, but has just 1.5 sacks this season.
The 49ers had hoped to have Ronald Blair back by now, but the defensive lineman suffered a setback in his recovery from an ACL injury.
"Had to redo some things to his knee," head coach Kyle Shanahan said last month, "some stuff that they messed up in it. He is doing a lot better from that, but that's why he's going to be a couple of weeks longer than expected."