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49ers place S Jimmie Ward on injured reserve, sign OL Bryce Harris

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 03: Tre Mason #27 of the St. Louis Rams rushes with the ball against Jimmie Ward #25 of the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on January 3, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 03: Tre Mason #27 of the St. Louis Rams rushes with the ball against Jimmie Ward #25 of the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on January 3, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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The San Francisco 49ers placed safety Jimmie Ward on injured reserve after a broken forearm in Week 8, signed offensive lineman Bryce Harris and promoted cornerback Greg Mabin from the practice squad. Niner Noise breaks down the additional moves.

Injuries have certainly played a role in the San Francisco 49ers’ 0-8 start to 2017, and the team was forced to make another major move following their Week 8 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Starting free safety Jimmie Ward suffered a broken forearm during the contest and was immediately replaced by rookie defensive back Adrian Colbert.

On Wednesday, the Niners placed Ward on season-ending injured reserve.

Ward already dealt with a hamstring issue earlier in the offseason that kept him out of the team’s Week 1 contest against the Carolina Panthers. This now marks the third time in Ward’s four-year career where his season has come to a premature end.

It’s not clear if the 49ers still see Ward as a part of their long-term rebuild. Injuries like these don’t help, although it’s possible to look back in hindsight and admit former general manager Trent Baalke made a serious mistake selecting Ward at No. 30 overall in the 2014 NFL Draft.

Just ask former CSN Authentic’s Dylan DeSimone:

In the immediate future, San Francisco may either stick with Colbert at safety or bump converted linebacker Eric Reid back to the free safety spot.

Reid played free safety from 2013 through 2016, although he is currently in the final year of his rookie contract.

49ers Sign OL Bryce Harris, Promote CB Greg Mabin

In additional news, the team also announced a one-year deal for offensive lineman Bryce Harris.

Harris broke into the league with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent back in 2012. The 6-foot-6, 300-pound lineman spent parts of 2012 through 2014 with the New Orleans Saints before rejoining the Falcons in 2015.

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The 28-year-old veteran has seen action in 36 regular-season games, starting four of them.

San Francisco’s O-line depth was tested last week in Philadelphia. Left tackle Joe Staley (eye), right tackle Trent Brown (concussion) and swing tackle Garry Gilliam (knee) were all on the injury report, with Gilliam also landing on IR.

Mabin, an undrafted rookie, signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and also spent time with the Buffalo Bills before being waived in mid October. The 49ers added him to their practice squad on October 18.

Next: 49ers positional midterm grades after Week 8

At 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, Mabin will likely supply some depth to the position after the Niners traded second-year cornerback Rashard Robinson to the New York Jets prior to the Oct. 31 NFL trade deadline.