THE APEX TIMES
San Francisco signed defensive lineman Robert Beal Jr. to its practice squad, returning the former fifth-round pick to a roster role that emphasizes development and depth on the defensive front.
The San Francisco 49ers announced they have signed defensive lineman Robert Beal Jr. to the team’s practice squad as the club continues to manage its defensive line depth.
Beal Jr. (6-4, 250) was originally drafted by the 49ers in the fifth round (173rd overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft. He later spent the 2026 season with the Miami Dolphins before being released on October 30, paving the way for his return to San Francisco’s organization.
During his time in the NFL with the 49ers and Dolphins, Beal Jr. has appeared in 27 regular-season games (one start), recording 25 tackles and 1.0 sack, along with four postseason appearances with San Francisco.
Before his professional career, Beal Jr. played college football at Georgia from 2017-22, where he appeared in 54 games (10 starts). His production included 72 tackles, 12.0 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, and multiple takeaways.
With this move, the 49ers are adding another defensive lineman to the practice-squad group, a role typically used to expand options for preparation during the season while giving players additional time to develop within the team’s system.