49ers poised to add new defensive piece against Cleveland, which will start its third different quarterback
SANTA CLARA — Something few if anyone envisioned when the season started in September — Randy Gregory of the 49ers lining up as a pass rusher and chasing Cleveland quarterback P.J. Walker in Week 6.
Gregory, acquired by trade a week ago from the Denver Broncos, appears poised to make his 49ers debut Sunday when they visit the Browns (2-2).
But rather than pursuing quarterback Deshaun Watson, Gregory will be chasing P.J. Walker at quarterback as Watson allows a bruised rotator cuff to heal. Watson, signed by Cleveland in the 2022 offseason to a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract, hasn’t practiced all week.
Multiple outlets are reporting Walker will be promoted from the practice squad to start against the 5-0 49ers.
The 49ers will release an injury report Friday with coach Kyle Shanahan addressing the media before the club departs for Cleveland. On his weekly appearance on KNBR, general manager John Lynch sounded as if he expects to see Gregory on the field.
Gregory (6-foot-5, 242 pounds) was removed from the starting lineup for the Broncos’ Oct. 1 game against Chicago and played 33 snaps. He practiced Wednesday and Thursday and Lynch was encouraged by how he’s taken to the system.
“I think there’s a good opportunity,” Lynch said. “He’s done a really good job . . . he’s been out on the practice field and looking good and really fitting in well with this team.”
Gregory’s likely role will be as a situational pass rusher opposite Nick Bosa.
Lynch said the decision to trade for Gregory, who played in just 10 of 21 games since joining the Broncos, was in keeping with the 49ers’ organizational philosophy of having a deep and talented defensive line.
“We want an embarrassment of riches up front,” Lynch said. “That’s the way we’re driven.”
It didn’t sound, however, as if the 49ers will be kicking the tires on Frank Clark, another edge rusher who was reportedly on the verge of being released by the Broncos. Clark has 58 1/2 sacks in nine seasons with Seattle, Kansas City and played just two game for Denver.
“You only have so many spots and I think we’re pretty good,” Lynch said. “We like our group.”
For Cleveland, Walker will be their third starting quarterback this season after Watson and rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Thompson-Robinson learned last Sunday morning he would start against Baltimore when Watson couldn’t play and struggled, completing 19 of 36 passes for 121 yards and three interceptions in a 28-3 loss.
Walker spent the preseason with the Chicago Bears, was released at the final cutdown and signed to the Cleveland practice squad five weeks ago.
Signed as a free agent, Walker has 15 games and seven starts over three seasons with Carolina. The 5-foot-11, 215-pounder started five games with the Panthers, where current 49ers head coach Steve Wilks served as defensive coordinator and then interim head coach.
“I think he’s very capable of running that offense,” Wilks said Thursday. “He makes good decisions. He’s good with the ball. He can win with his legs, a lot of what Deshaun can do. So when people say they are going to dummy down the offense? I don’t think so. I think he’s more than capable of running that offense.”
Cleveland is also expected to be without Pro Bowl guard Joel Bitonio (knee) and tight end David Njoku (burns to face and hand).
