49ers elevate LB Jalen Graham, WR Malik Turner from practice squad for Eagles game
The 49ers elevated linebacker Jalen Graham and wide receiver Malik Turner Saturday for their NFC wild card playoff game against the host Philadelphia Eagles.
They also downgraded wide receiver Jacob Cowing to out following his first week of practice.
The 49ers (12-5), the No. 6 seed, play the Eagles (11-6) Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field (1:30 p.m., Fox).
Graham gives the 49ers some depth at linebacker, where starter Dee Winters (ankle) and Luke Gifford (quad) are listed as questionable and did not practice Friday. The 49ers also lost Tatum Bethune, the starting missing linebacker after Fred Warner was lost with a broken and dislocated ankle on Oct. 12.
Eric Kendricks, promoted from practice squad to the 53-man roster when Bethune (groin), is expected to wear the green dot as the defensive signal caller and relay instructions from coordinator Robert Saleh. Garret Wallow, signed Dec. 2 off the Denver Broncos practice squad, could also start. Also on the roster is Curtis Robinson, who started three times as a middle linebacker due to an earlier Bethune injury but can play both weak side and strong side.
Unless the 49ers make another move, linebacker Kyzir White, a veteran added to the practice squad three days ago, will remain on the practice squad and not be eligible to play.
Graham, a seventh-round draft pick out of Purdue in 2023, has been active twice this season against Carolina and Cleveland. He played two snaps defensively and 21 on special teams.
Turner will be active for the third time this season, having played in wins over Arizona, the Los Angeles Rams and Atlanta in Weeks 3, 5 and 7. He played 17 snaps on offense and had three solo tackles in a 20-10 win over Atlanta.
Also listed as questionable for the 49ers are left tackle Trent Williams (hamstring) and wide receiver Ricky Pearsall Jr. (knee, ankle) to go along with Winters, Gifford and Renardo Green (foot). If Green can’t play, the likely starter is Darrell Luter Jr.
Should the 49ers win, Cowing will be eligible to practice next week after missing all season with a hamstring injury.
The Eagles elevations from the practice squad were long snapper Charley Hughlett and defensive back Andre Sam.