The San Francisco 49ers have officially confirmed the signing of veteran cornerback Eli Apple to a one-year contract. In a corresponding move to clear a roster spot, the team released wide receiver Quintez Cephus.

Apple's addition had initially been reported by his agent on Sunday, but the team made the transaction official today.


The 49ers Communications staff provided the following rundown.


Apple (6-1, 203) was initially drafted by the New York Giants as the 10th overall selection of the 2016 NFL Draft. Throughout his nine-year NFL career with the Giants (2016-18), New Orleans Saints (2018-19), Carolina Panthers (2020), Cincinnati Bengals (2021-22), Miami Dolphins (2023) and Los Angeles Chargers (2024), he has appeared in 102 games (82 starts) and registered 380 tackles, 61 passes defensed, seven fumble recoveries, six interceptions, three forced fumbles and 0.5 sack. He has also appeared in 12 postseason contests (11 starts) and totaled 56 tackles and six passes defensed. In 2024 with the Chargers, Apple appeared in four games and tallied two tackles and one pass defensed and also appeared in one postseason contest.

A 29-year-old native of Voorhees Township, NJ, Apple attended Ohio State University for three seasons (2013-15) where he appeared in 28 games (27 starts) and registered 86 tackles, 18 passes defensed, four interceptions, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble and was named Second-Team All Big-Ten in 2015 and Freshman All-America in 2014.

Cephus (6-1, 208) originally signed with the team on July 24, 2025.

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