The San Francisco 49ers have bolstered their defensive line with two new additions ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the New York Giants. Defensive linemen Clelin Ferrell and Keion White practiced with the team for the first time Wednesday after arriving at the SAP Performance Facility earlier that morning.
Ferrell returns to San Francisco after spending the 2023 season with the 49ers, where he started all 17 games and totaled 3.5 sacks, 28 tackles, and 13 quarterback hits. Originally selected fourth overall by the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2019 NFL Draft, the veteran defensive end brings seven years of experience with the Raiders, 49ers, Washington Commanders, and Los Angeles Chargers.
After some time in Washington and Los Angeles, Ferrell said coming back to The Bay feels like a homecoming.
“When I first came here, it felt like home,” Ferrell said. “There are a lot of new people in the house, but the cook is still the same. So it feels good.”
Ferrell credited defensive line coach Kris Kocurek for his confidence and growth during his first stint in San Francisco.
“He always puts you in the best possible position to win,” Ferrell added. “He’s really big on speaking life into people, instilling confidence in his players. That’s why guys have success even when they leave here.”
Joining Ferrell on the line is White, acquired this week in a trade with the New England Patriots. A 2023 second-round pick (46th overall), he appeared in 38 games with New England and recorded 88 tackles, eight passes defensed, 6.0 sacks, and two forced fumbles across three seasons.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan shared his excitement about White’s addition to the roster: “We need D-linemen with all our guys injured. Regardless, he would have helped any team. I thought he was a problem when we played against him last year. Really liked what he does on film, too. He can play D-end and he can rush inside. So, versatile guy.”
With both Ferrell and White now in the fold, the 49ers defensive line gets a timely boost heading into the second half of the season.
