SANTA CLARA -- The 49ers will have a new edge rusher on the field Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.
Defensive end Ryan Delaire, whom the 49ers promoted Saturday from the practice squad, is expected to see immediate action as the team looks for other options from its outside pass rush.
Delaire has excelled in recent practices, winning the 49ers' defensive scout-team player of the week award in back-to-back weeks. Delaire, similar to cornerback Greg Mabin, impressed the coaching staff, and the decision was made to see if the third-year pro out of Towson can provide fresh legs and an upgrade.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
Delaire, 26, played 15 games for the Carolina Panthers in 2015 and 2016, and recorded 3.5 sacks. The 6-foot-4, 260-pounder spent training camp with the Indianapolis Colts this summer before the 49ers signed him to their practice squad Sept. 26.
Delaire recorded two sacks against the 49ers in a Week 3 preseason game. He was among the Colts’ final cuts before the start of the regular season.
The 49ers have experienced difficulty finding consistency with their pass rush. Through four games, DeForest Buckner leads the 49ers with 3.5 sacks. The rest of the defense combined has just 4.5 sacks.
All indications are the 49ers likely will deactivate an interior defensive lineman to make room for Delaire on the active 46-man roster for Sunday's game.
San Francisco 49ers
Find the latest San Francisco 49ers news, highlights, analysis and more with NBC Sports Bay Area and California.
On Saturday, the 49ers also activated wide receiver Victor Bolden from the exempted list in a move that likely means Marquise Goodwin will not suit up because of hamstring and thigh injuries. Bolden returns from a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.