What happened: The San Francisco 49ers officially placed rookie defensive tackle Gracen Halton on injured reserve Tuesday. Halton suffered an ankle injury during Sunday's win over the Las Vegas Raiders and is expected to miss the remainder of the season.
Why it matters: Halton emerged as a key interior rotational piece during his rookie year, providing steady depth along the defensive front. The transaction frees a spot on the 53-man roster as San Francisco integrates trade-deadline acquisition Keenan Allen into the lineup. The 7-1 49ers sit atop the NFC standings and will rely on their remaining defensive line rotation to absorb Halton's snaps.
By the numbers: Halton recorded 15 tackles and two sacks through eight games in 2026. San Francisco sits at 7-1 through eight games, holding the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
What to watch: San Francisco prepares for its next regular-season contest while Allen is incorporated onto the active 53-man roster.