49ers reshuffle the edge rotation, bring back Nick Zakelj and add Victor Dimukeje

The San Francisco 49ers announced they have signed defensive lineman Victor Dimukeje and offensive lineman Nick Zakelj to one-year deals as the preseason moves deeper into its second week. The transactions also included the release of Kion Smith, a move the team framed as necessary roster balancing as it adds depth for the coming stretch of practice and exhibition games.

Zakelj returns to the 49ers, giving San Francisco another option along the offensive front. In this phase of camp, teams typically prioritize versatility and game reps for players who can fit into multiple blocking assignments and protection schemes, and Zakelj’s return is a direct report that the club wants additional competition and depth on the offensive line.

Dimukeje’s addition is centered on the defensive front. For a team that has spent recent seasons leaning on pressure creation and gap discipline, adding an experienced interior and edge-capable presence can matter for how the rotation is managed across preseason snaps. While preseason statistics do not count in the standings, the depth chart and who can handle particular run-and-pass responsibilities often do.

The release of Kion Smith shows how quickly NFL rosters can change during the preseason. Even when the team’s needs are not about talent, the arithmetic of roster size forces decisions. A one-for-one style swap, as described in the announcement, suggests San Francisco was looking to keep an EDGE rusher group and tackle/line options aligned with its current preseason evaluation plan.

San Francisco’s early preseason outlook is often shaped by who can handle assignment-based football when the starters sit or reduce their workload. In that context, Zakelj and Dimukeje joining the group late enough to require quick integration can be seen as a practical bet on immediate usefulness, not a long-term developmental project.

For the players involved, the next week of preseason work is likely to be decisive. Coaches tend to sort depth-chart roles and reserve playing time by who shows consistency in pass protection, leverage control, and pre-snap communication. If either newcomer earns repeat reps, that would tighten competition at their respective positions heading toward final roster cut deadlines.

The only clear caveat is that preseason transactions can also reflect cap management, injury insurance, or special-teams considerations that may not be fully visible in public reporting. With this news still centered on the roster moves themselves, the most immediate way to track the impact will be to watch which units they practice with and whether they receive sustained opportunities once game-day rotation plans are finalized.