The San Francisco 49ers have added defensive end Jah Joyner to their roster as they deal with injury issues. Star edge rusher Nick Bosa has been sidelined for much of August due to a knee problem that also plagued him last season. With several inexperienced players stepping in on the defensive line, the team is seeking to enhance its defense ahead of the new season.
Joyner, who hails from Connecticut, played five years at the University of Minnesota, where he accumulated 32 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks during his final season. After going undrafted in 2025, he signed with the Las Vegas Raiders but was released after three preseason games.
He later joined the Houston Gamblers in the United Football League (UFL), earning an impressive overall defensive grade of 85.1 from Pro Football Focus.
The 49ers met with Joyner on Wednesday before officially signing him, as reported by Aaron Wilson of KPRC. Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing around 260 pounds, Joyner demonstrated his athleticism by running a 40-yard dash in 4.6 seconds at the NFL Scouting Combine.
The team will face the Raiders, Joyner's former team, in their final preseason game before preparing for their regular-season opener against the Los Angeles Rams in Australia on September 10.