The San Francisco 49ers continue to reshape their roster during training camp, leaning once again on players who previously wore the Detroit Lions’ Honolulu blue and silver.
On Monday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported a series of roster moves by the 49ers, including the signing of former Lions defensive lineman Bruce Hector to a one-year deal.
In a corresponding move, the team will release kicker Greg Joseph, another former Lion.
The recent transactions by the 49ers mark the third time during this year’s training camp they have signed former Lions players. Over the past two weeks, the 49ers have signed running back Ameer Abdullah, a 2015 second-round pick and wide receiver Quintez Cephus, whom the Lions selected in the fifth-round of the 2020 draft.
Hector, 30, was claimed off waivers by Detroit in July 2021 following his release from the Tennessee Titans. That season, the former South Florida standout — who entered the league undrafted in 2018 — appeared in three games for the Lions, logging 52 total snaps and five combined tackles.
Over two seasons in Detroit, Hector bounced between the active roster and practice squad before being released on Oct. 25, 2022.
In addition to the Lions and Titans, Hector has spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers, New York Jets, Houston Texans, and the Arlington Renegades of the UFL.
Joseph, 31, briefly joined the Lions’ practice squad in September 2024 following his release from the Green Bay Packers. His stint in Detroit was short-lived, as the New York Giants signed him to their active roster just six days later after an injury to kicker Graham Gano.
Along with the Lions, 49ers, Giants, and Packers, Joseph has also spent time with the Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers, Tennessee Titans, Minnesota Vikings, Washington Commanders, and New York Jets. He was part of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers team that won Super Bowl LV.
Before his brief stint in Detroit, Joseph was the hero of the Lions-Vikings’ Week 5 matchup in Minneapolis. With three seconds left in regulation, Joseph nailed a 54-yard game-winning field goal as time expired to give the Vikings a 19-17 win over the Lions.
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