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Roster Shuffle: 49ers Bring Back Nick Zakelj, Add Pass-Rusher Victor Dimukeje
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- Roster Shuffle: 49ers Bring Back Nick Zakelj, Add Pass-Rusher Victor Dimukeje
The San Francisco 49ers announced a series of mid-camp roster adjustments on Monday heading into the second week of the preseason. The team signed defensive lineman Victor Dimukeje and reunited with offensive lineman Nick Zakelj on one year contracts.
To make room on the 90 man roster, San Francisco released running back Khalil Herbert and offensive lineman Kion Smith .
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A Quick Reunion for Nick Zakelj
Zakelj's return comes just one week after his release. The 49ers initially parted ways with the 2022 sixth round pick on August 10 to sign Doug Kramer Jr. after Zakelj missed time with an elbow injury. However, after watching their interior depth take a beating in Thursday's preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans , the front office quickly brought the familiar veteran back into the fold.
Smith, who originally joined San Francisco on August 6, logged 33 snaps at right guard in the exhibition opener. However, struggles in run blocking and allowing multiple pressures proved costly, prompting the coaching staff to pivot back to Zakelj, who has appeared in 29 games with two starts for the franchise over the past four seasons.
Edge Depth Reinforcement: Victor Dimukeje
The addition of Dimukeje provides much needed pass-rush depth along the front line as the 49ers manage early camp workload and injuries.
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Dimukeje (6-foot-2, 250 lbs), 26, entered the NFL as a sixth round selection by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Duke. Over his five year career with Arizona (2021–24) and the New York Giants (2025), Dimukeje has appeared in 60 games (eight starts), tallying 51 tackles, 4.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, and two passes defensed. His most productive campaign came in 2023 with Arizona, when he logged a career high four sacks and 17 quarterback pressures.
With San Francisco using only five edge rushers in their preseason opener, and star pass-rusher Nick Bosa working through knee tendinitis, Dimukeje offers an experienced motor to take reps alongside Keion White and Sam Okuayinonu through the remainder of the exhibition slate.
Corresponding Departures
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Khalil Herbert (RB): Originally signed on August 2 to help navigate early backfield tightness, Herbert's tenure in Santa Clara ends after appearing in Thursday's preseason opener. His departure aligns with the recent arrival of Zamir White to the running back room.
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Kion Smith (OL): Signed on August 6, Smith was waived following his single preseason appearance against Tennessee.
With the regular season rapidly approaching, these mid-camp adjustments reflect a front office determined to churn the bottom of the roster until they find the right depth. San Francisco will now look to see if Dimukeje and a refreshed Zakelj can carve out firm roles as exhibition play continues.
