49ers work the defensive line rotation as Evan Anderson returns and Kaelon Black gets back on the practice field

The San Francisco 49ers made a notable adjustment to their interior defensive line on Tuesday, bringing back defensive tackle Evan Anderson as the team churns through its preseason roster picture. Anderson’s re-entry comes in a cycle that teams typically use to manage depth, health designations, and performance evaluations over the opening weeks of camp.

According to Yahoo Sports, the 49ers announced the signing of Anderson and created roster space by making a waiver/injured move involving defensive lineman Titus Leo. Leo had been signed by the 49ers earlier in August, and the procedural move underscores how quickly teams can change course when a player’s status shifts during training camp.

The Anderson return is also significant because the 49ers tend to value players who can function in multiple defensive tackle roles, including snaps aligned over the center and the edges of offensive guards. While the report did not spell out snap counts or specific role assignments, the transaction reflects the team’s ongoing emphasis on maintaining a playable rotation in the middle of the defense.

In the same broader camp news, Yahoo Sports reported that Kaelon Black returned to practice. Black’s ability to get back on the field matters for San Francisco’s depth planning, particularly because defensive front recruiting and development often hinge on whether players can translate offseason work into consistent repetitions in live team settings.

For the 49ers, these moves are not occurring in a vacuum. Training camp roster decisions usually affect more than the players directly involved, because every addition or procedural transaction can influence which teammates receive the reps necessary to win jobs, how coaches structure situational work, and how quickly fringe players can demonstrate they fit the system.

The timing also carries practical stakes. In the weeks leading up to the regular season, the roster is still being shaped for both availability and style, and defensive line depth can determine how often the team can keep its top interior players fresh during stretches of games. Even when health information is limited publicly, the fact that the 49ers paired Anderson’s return with a waiver/injured corresponding move is a report that the team is trying to keep contingency plans ready.

What to watch next is whether Anderson becomes part of the primary rotation in team periods and whether Black’s return to practice progresses consistently. Coaches typically evaluate not only whether a player can participate, but also whether they can do so at full intensity and within the defensive assignments expected in upcoming preseason games. The next set of transactions, practice participation confirmations, and the way the defensive line group is deployed across camp periods will clarify how the 49ers are prioritizing their interior depth.