49ers notebook: Defensive line takes another hit with Jullian Taylor’s knee injury

The injuries issues along the 49ers’ defensive line took another hit this week as tackle Jullian Taylor sustained an ACL tear to his knee during Thursday’s practice that ended his season.

The blow is particularly frustrating for San Francisco because Taylor was expected to return to the lineup for Sunday’s key game in Seattle and provide help along the interior after missing the past three games with an elbow injury.

“No one fell on it, it was just two people, him and an O-Lineman pushing on each other and came to a stop and it just gave out,” coach Kyle Shanahan said Friday. “It was a real unfortunate one.”

Taylor’s injury continues a theme for the 49ers’ once-dominant defensive line: reserves have dropped like flies, forcing the team’s starters to play more thus becoming less effective. San Francisco averaged four sacks per game over the first 11 — and has just three sacks in the past four games combined.

Taylor will join nose tackle D.J. Jones (ankle) and defensive ends Ronald Blair III (torn ACL) and Damontre Moore (fractured forearm) on season-ending injured reserve. Taylor was expected to fill in at nose tackle with Jones sidelined against Seattle’s physical running game, which could be headlined by running back Marshawn Lynch who returned from retirement this week.

The 49ers will promote undrafted rookie Kevin Givens (6-1, 285) from the practice squad to take Taylor’s spot along the defensive front, Shanahan said. Givens spent four seasons at Penn State and recorded 82 tackles (21.5 for loss) and 13.0 sacks in 39 games.

“Kevin had a good training camp, was close to making our roster,” said Shanahan. “He’s been here and worked all year to get better and he’s been waiting for this opportunity.”

Taylor was a seventh-round pick in the 2018 draft that had potential, but fell because of a litany of leg injuries during his college career at Temple. He appeared in just 14 games over four seasons before getting drafted.

Defensive end Dee Ford was officially ruled out Friday and will miss his fifth game in six weeks due to a hamstring injury which he aggravated Dec. 8 after four snaps against the Saints. Ford would be one of the players who might benefit most from the 49ers earning a first-round bye with a victory over the Seahawks.

Right guard Mike Person was listed as “questionable” with a neck injury that caused him to miss last week’s win over the Rams. Person was moving better at practice this week and has a good chance of getting back in the lineup after being replaced by Daniel Brusnkill.

Receiver Deebo Samuel, who practiced all week in a noncontract jersey with a shoulder injury, wasn’t listed on the injury report and will play.

Jaquiski Tartt ‘doubtful’ to play vs. Seahawks

Strong safety Jaquiski Tartt was officially listed as “doubtful” for Sunday after returning to practice this week as a limited participant due to his fractured rib Dec. 1 that cost him the past three games. Tartt’s absence has been significant as the 49ers pass defense has taken a step back with second-year pro Marcell Harris starting in his place.

“Honestly, I’m just taking it day by day,” Tartt said when asked about his long-term prognosis. “I could wake up Sunday and be able to be on the field.”

San Francisco before Tartt’s injury allowed 137 passing yards per game. In the three games without him that number ballooned to 294 in conjunction with the defensive line getting banged up.

Seahawks injury update

Seattle on Friday officially ruled out tackle Duane Brown after having surgery to repair a knee injury this week. Additionally, reserve receiver Malik Turner (concussion) will not play.

Brown’s absence means the Seahawks will turn to rookie fifth-round pick Jamarco Jones to play left tackle. Jones will likely spend the majority of his day lined up against Nick Bosa. The two were teammates at Ohio State for three seasons.

Safety Quandre Diggs, who has played well this season since being acquired in a trade from the Lions, is listed as questionable after missing last week’s game with a high ankle sprain. Diggs had an interception against the 49ers last month.

“There are a couple miraculous opportunities coming up before Sunday, so we’ll see what happens,” Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said about Diggs’ availability for Sunday.

When asked by Seattle reporters if it would take a miracle for Diggs to play Sunday night, Carroll said, “Somewhat. We can’t tell yet, so we’ll wait and see.”

▪ 49ers kicker Robbie Gould was named the NFC Special Teams player of the week for his performance in the last game against the Rams. Gould made a pair of field goals, including a 33-yard game-winner as time expired, and four extra points.