Just as Jullian Taylor was set to return to the lineup, the 49ers defensive lineman has gone down with another injury. The Athletic’s Matt Barrows tweets that Taylor suffered a knee injury during today’s practice.
While the diagnosis is unknown, the player is set to undergo an MRI. Barrows reports that the team is also calling free agent interior defensive linemen.
Taylor was thrust into the nose tackle role after D.J. Jones was placed on injured reserve, and the lineman ended up contributing nine tackles in six games. However, an elbow injury sidelined Taylor for the past three games, but there was optimism that he’d be able to play in the season finale against the Seahawks. Barring some unexpected news, it doesn’t sound like that will be the case.
The team had to activate Kentavius Street for their Week 16 win over the Rams. Barrows suggests that the team could promote rookie defensive lineman Kevin Givens from the practice squad.
Barrows also suggests that a familiar face could be an option: Earl Mitchell. The veteran spent the 2017 and 2018 seasons with San Francisco before signing with (and later getting released by) Seattle. The 32-year-old announced his retirement back in November.