The 49ers are expected to activate defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos and place punter Mitch Wishnowsky on injured reserve with a back injury, according to ESPN’s Nick Wagoner.
Gross-Matos was placed on injured reserve on October 5 after suffering a knee injury that required surgery. He returned to practice on November 5 and is eligible to play against the Seahawks in Week 11. Wishnowsky will be sidelined for at least four weeks before he can be activated from IR.
Gross-Matos was a full participant in practice this week, but is still listed as questionable on the injury report since he has not officially been activated yet. The 49ers will be hoping Gross-Matos can play if Nick Bosa is sidelined with a hip injury, though he returned to practice on Friday after missing Tuesday and Wednesday. Bosa is questionable for Sunday’s game.
Wishnowsky’s injury leaves the 49ers down yet another specialist this year. Jake Moody missed a month with a high ankle sprain, and his replacement, Matthew Wright, landed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. Anders Carlson then filled in for two games before Moody returned in Week 9.
The 49ers signed former Bears and Packers punter Pat O’Donnell to their practice squad on Wednesday as insurance for Wishnowsky’s back. He will likely be elevated for the game on Sunday, though the 49ers will need to make another move to promote him to the active roster since Gross-Matos will likely be taking Wishnowsky’s spot on the 53.