On Saturday, the San Francisco 49ers announced the following roster moves ahead of an important divisional game against the Arizona Cardinals:
- Promoted DL Clelin Ferrell to the active roster from the team's practice squad
- Waived QB Adrian Martinez
- Elevated CB Eli Apple from the practice squad (standard elevation)
Ferrell has appeared in three games this season (two with the 49ers). The team is promoting Ferrell to the active roster, so he will not return to the practice squad after this game. In his three games this season, Ferrell has one sack, five tackles, and one QB hit. The 49ers will need him to be part of the rotation on a thin defensive line, due to multiple injuries.
With the return of QB Brock Purdy to the starting lineup, Martinez is being waived to make room for Ferrell on the active roster. The first-year quarterback appeared in one game for the 49ers, taking the final snap—a kneeldown—in week 9 against the New York Giants. Mac Jones will serve as Purdy's backup after filling in admirably while Purdy was out with a toe injury, going 5-3 during those eight games.
Apple, a former first-round pick by the Giants (number 10 overall in 2016), has appeared in one game for the 49ers this season, playing all of his snaps on special teams. Apple's elevation could suggest that starting CB Deommodore Lenoir will not be available on Sunday, though he likely will be a game-time decision. Lenoir injured his calf in practice on Thursday.
In other news, the NFL announced two separate fines for 49ers LB Tatum Bethune. The linebacker was fined $5,446 for improper use of his helmet in the second quarter of last week's game against the Los Angeles Rams, and $5,447 for a late hit out of bounds in the third quarter of the same game.
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