The San Francisco 49ers today announced they have promoted DL Robert Beal Jr. to the active roster from the team's practice squad. In order to make room on the roster, the team released DL Trevis Gipson. In addition, the team signed LB Stone Blanton to the practice squad.
Beal Jr. (6-4, 250) was originally drafted by the 49ers in the fifth round (173rd overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft. Throughout his career with the 49ers (2023-25), he has appeared in 19 games and registered 15 tackles and 1.0 sack. Beal Jr. was waived by the team on October 11, 2025 and later signed to the practice squad on October 14.
A 26-year-old native of Duluth, GA, Beal Jr. attended the University of Georgia (2017-22) where he appeared in 54 games (10 starts) and registered 72 tackles, 12.0 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, two passes defensed, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
Blanton (6-1, 227) originally entered the NFL after signing with the 49ers as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2025. He spent training camp with the team before he was waived on August 26.
A 23-year-old native of Madison, MS, Blanton attended Mississippi State University (2024) and the University of South Carolina (2022-23) where he appeared in 36 games (24 starts) and registered 184 tackles, seven passes defensed, 6.0 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, 1.5 sacks, one interception and one fumble recovery.
Gipson (6-4, 263) has appeared in three games and registered one fumble recovery with the team this season.
