SANTA CLARA — The 49ers have signed long snapper Colin Holba to the team and are likely to promote outside linebacker Pita Taumoepenu from the practice squad.
Holba was drafted by the Steelers in the sixth round of the 2017 draft. After spending time with the Jaguars and signing with the AAFL team the Atlanta Legends, he will take the place of Kyle Nelson who was suspended for violating the league policy on performance enhancing drugs.
Because Nelson was a repeat offender, he has been suspended for 10 weeks. His first violation was while he was a free agent in 2011, his rookie year.
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The team also is likely to promote Taumoepenu to take over for Dekoda Watson, who will be placed on season ending injured reserve after tearing his calf muscle in the 49ers loss to Seattle.
“Most likely,” Shanahan said. “I know we’re working out a number of practice squad guys. I can’t guarantee it but that’s definitely what we’re leaning towards. We’ll see how these next two days go.”
Taumoepenu was drafted in the sixth round of the 2017 draft and appeared in two games in 2017. He has spent the 2018 season, thus far, on the team’s practice squad.