49ers sign DT Sebastian Joseph-Day
Could this be related to Arik Armstead’s health, or how the backup defensive tackles performed on Monday night?
In the previous two seasons, Joseph-Day started 30 games at defensive lineman for the Los Angeles Chargers. This season, he’s played 542 snaps. Pro Football Focus reports that Joseph-Day has played at least 35 snaps in all but three of this season’s games.
Joseph-Day has three sacks and five tackles for loss thus far this season. When Arik Armstead recovers, the 310-pound player should provide the 49ers the much-needed bulk up the middle.
Kevin Givens and T.Y. McGill played 23 and 22 snaps, respectively, on Monday night. There were only Javon Hargrave and Javon Kinlaw left to compete for the job.
Due to injuries, he had to rush the passer more often while playing with the Chargers, despite his primary role as a run defender. Joseph-Day’s function is expected to be the Niners’ backup run defender on rotation. That will keep Givens interesting.
If Armstead’s injury is still troubling him at this stage, the 49ers could be better off giving him time off until the playoffs. Maybe for that reason, another defensive tackle was added.