SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco 49ers are making significant changes to their roster as they prepare for a Week 3 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, responding to a growing list of injuries and a need for additional depth on both sides of the ball.

The team announced a series of roster moves this week, including the signing of defensive lineman Naquan Jones to a one-year contract and the addition of veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks to the practice squad. Defensive lineman Viliami Fehoko Jr. was also added to the practice squad, while defensive tackle C.J. West was placed on the Injured Reserve List.

The moves come at a critical point in the season, with San Francisco preparing to host Arizona at Levi's Stadium on Sunday. The 49ers entered Week 3 with a 2-0 record, but a series of injuries has forced the organization to look for reinforcements.

Brandin Cooks Brings 12 Years of NFL Experience

Perhaps the most notable name among the latest additions is Brandin Cooks.

The veteran wide receiver, now 32, returns to San Francisco after building an extensive NFL career with several teams. Cooks was originally selected by the New Orleans Saints with the 20th overall pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft.

Over 12 NFL seasons, Cooks has played for the Saints, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams, Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys and Buffalo Bills. Through 173 regular-season games, including 149 starts, he has recorded 734 receptions for 9,811 yards and 60 receiving touchdowns.

He has also contributed as a runner, recording 58 carries for 341 yards and two rushing touchdowns during his career. In the postseason, Cooks has appeared in nine games, making eight starts and recording 40 receptions for 572 yards.

His experience could provide an important veteran presence for a 49ers receiving corps dealing with its own personnel questions.

However, Cooks' addition to the practice squad does not automatically mean he will play against Arizona. His presence gives the organization another experienced option as the coaching staff evaluates its roster and prepares for the weeks ahead.

Defensive Line Gets Another Reinforcement

While Cooks provides experience on offense, the 49ers have also made a move designed to add depth to their defensive front.

San Francisco signed Naquan Jones to a one-year contract. The 28-year-old defensive lineman entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Tennessee Titans in 2021 and has since spent time with multiple teams, including the Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans and Minnesota Vikings.

Jones has appeared in 60 regular-season games during his NFL career, including eight starts. He has recorded 102 tackles, 6.5 sacks and five passes defended.

His experience could become particularly valuable as the 49ers deal with injuries along the defensive line.

C.J. West, who started the team's first two games of the season, has been placed on injured reserve after recording five tackles.

San Francisco has also dealt with injuries involving other defensive linemen, making additional depth an increasingly important priority.

Viliami Fehoko Jr. Also Returns

The 49ers also added defensive lineman Viliami Fehoko Jr. to the practice squad.

Fehoko originally entered the NFL as a fourth-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys in 2023 and has spent time with the Cowboys, Washington Commanders, Indianapolis Colts and 49ers. He previously joined San Francisco during the offseason before being waived on August 30.

During his college career at San Jose State, Fehoko was productive as a pass rusher and run defender, recording 191 tackles, 46 tackles for loss and 23 sacks over five seasons.

His return gives San Francisco another familiar option as the team works through its defensive personnel issues.

Roster Moves Reflect Growing Injury Concerns

The latest transactions are part of a larger series of moves San Francisco has made since the beginning of the season.

The 49ers have already placed several players on injured reserve, including defensive linemen Alfred Collins and Sam Okuayinonu. The team also previously placed other players on injured reserve while continuing to make promotions and additions to its active roster and practice squad.

The timing is particularly significant because San Francisco is preparing for Arizona while several key players remain on the injury report.

The most notable absence is defensive star Nick Bosa, who has been ruled out for the Cardinals game and is expected to miss multiple weeks with a calf injury. Rookie defensive end Romello Height has also been ruled out, while wide receiver Mike Evans is listed as questionable after dealing with a hip issue.

That combination of injuries helps explain why the 49ers have been active in adding defensive line depth.

San Francisco Still Has Plenty of Firepower

Despite the roster concerns, the 49ers enter Week 3 with considerable momentum.

Quarterback Brock Purdy was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week after a strong performance in San Francisco's Week 2 victory over the Miami Dolphins. Purdy completed 20 of 22 passes and also scored a rushing touchdown in the 35-13 win.

The 49ers are therefore attempting to balance two priorities: maintaining the momentum of a 2-0 start while protecting the roster from the effects of a growing injury list.

The addition of Cooks gives the offense an experienced receiver who has spent more than a decade producing at the NFL level. Jones and Fehoko provide additional options for a defensive line that has suddenly become one of the team's most closely watched position groups.

A Critical Week for the 49ers

San Francisco's roster activity highlights just how quickly circumstances can change during an NFL season.

The 49ers have not simply made one isolated signing. Instead, the organization has made several moves in response to injuries and depth concerns across the roster. The addition of veterans such as Cooks and Jones also gives the team players with significant NFL experience at a time when younger players may be asked to take on expanded responsibilities.

The immediate focus will be Sunday's matchup with the Cardinals at Levi's Stadium. But the bigger question may be how these roster adjustments develop over the next several weeks.

For now, San Francisco has moved quickly to strengthen its options.

Brandin Cooks is back in the building. Naquan Jones has joined the defensive line. Viliami Fehoko Jr. has returned to the practice squad.

And with Nick Bosa and several other defensive players dealing with injuries, the 49ers' latest moves could prove increasingly important as the 2026 season moves forward.