49ers Tabbed as a Landing Spot for Ex-Captain After ‘Shock Move’

There may have been some expected repercussions given the Chargers’ results in the last seven games, which include six losses and one historic 63-21 blowout drubbing. But the dumping of Sebastian Joseph-Day, a team captain and 14-game starter on the defensive line, was labeled a “shock move” by the Chargers’ SB Nation site.  And, as is per usual in cases like this, there are 49ers rumors suggesting that San Francisco could scoop him up.

The 49ers are, by coach Kyle Shanahan’s own admission, facing injury concerns on defensive interior, most notably with Arik Armstead, who is dealing with a foot injury and also has a knee problem. He will be out for Monday’s game against the Ravens this week. Javon Hargrave is questionable with a hamstring injury.

Bringing in any new player at this point of the season is not easy, of course, and any new roster move would have to result in another player getting cut. But the 49ers are in Super-Bowl-or-bust mode and can’t allow injuries to get in their way.

Signing Joseph-Day would be an efficient insurance move, especially with the NFC rival Cowboys also likely to be in the mix on him. That’s the thinking at CBS Sports.com, where the 49ers are tabbed as a “landing spot” for Joseph-Day.

Sebastian Joseph-Day Could Have Options

CBS names just three potential suitors for Joseph-Day—the Cowboys and 49ers, as well as the Browns in the AFC. But there could be more, most notably Jacksonville, Kansas City and Buffalo, all playoff teams that need to beef up their defensive fronts. He could also return to his original team, the Rams. Joseph-Day sent his first three NFL seasons with the Rams, and helped them to the Super Bowl championship in 2021, before signing a three-year, $24 million contract with the Chargers.

Should Joseph-Day return to the NFL this season, he’d essentially have to pick between taking a deep ride into the postseason with a team like the 49ers, or getting a chance to play a lot with a team like the Jags or Browns.

Here’s what CBS’s Garrett Podell wrote about the Joseph-Day to the 49ers rumors:

“There may be no team better positioned to win the Super Bowl this season than the 11-3 San Francisco 49ers. Sebastian Joseph-Day is a Super Bowl champion himself, and with starting defensive tackle Javon Hargrave missing the team’s Week 15 game against the Arizona Cardinals with a hamstring strain, he could be a nice depth addition at a critical time in the season for the 49ers front.”