The San Francisco 49ers have activated safety Jimmie Ward off the team's injured reserve list, making him eligible to play in Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers.
The 49ers announced the following additional roster moves:
- OL Colton McKivitz placed on injured reserve
- DT Akeem Spence promoted from the practice squad
- WR Malik Turner, RB Tevin Coleman elevated from the practice squad
McKivitz suffered an MCL sprain on Monday night against the Los Angeles Rams. He is expected to miss six to eight weeks from the time of his injury.
On August 31, the Niners placed Ward on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury the safety sustained during training camp. He was forced to miss the first four games of the season. On Wednesday, the 49ers opened his practice window with a designation to return.
Safeties Talanoa Hufanga and Tashaun Gipson have been playing superb football in Ward's absence. The 49ers enter Week 5 with the No. 2 ranked pass defense.
"Hopefully, they add me back in the rotation, but however they do it, I trust the coaching staff, and I'll be sitting on the sidelines looking pretty, just itching to hit somebody," Ward said this week.
Cornerback Jason Verrett (knee), who also had his practice window opened this week, remains on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list for now.
On Friday, head coach Kyle Shanahan said that injured reserve was a possibility for defensive lineman Arik Armstead (foot, ankle). However, the team opted not to make that move. Armstead is expected to miss Sunday's game against the Panthers and the Week 6 contest against the Atlanta Falcons.