49ers promote CB Morris, sign pass rusher
The San Francisco 49ers elevated cornerback Darryl Morris to the 53-man active roster and added linebacker D'Aundre Reed to the practice squad, the team announced Tuesday.
Morris likely was promoted as insurance in case veteran cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, who suffered a knee injury in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts, is unable to play.
Reed is a pass rusher who could provide depth in the absence of suspended defensive end Aldon Smith, who is sidelined for an indefinte period on the non-football injury list after an accident last week.
The 23-year-old Morris was released by the 49ers at the end of training camp and signed to the practice squad on Sept. 2. The rookie had 223 career tackles and five interceptions in college at Texas State.
Reed was released by the Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 9. He has played in six NFL games, mostly on special teams, after the Vikings drafted him in the seventh round in 2011. In college, Reed had 83 tackles and six sacks in 47 games for Arizona.
Reed was a defensive lineman with the Vikings but could be moved to outside linebacker. Dan Skuta is expected to fill Smith's spot in the lineup on Thursday night against the Philadelphia Eagles.
