49ers Bring Back DL Viliami Fehoko Jr. to Practice Squad
The San Francisco 49ers announced they have signed defensive lineman Viliami Fehoko Jr. to their practice squad, per nfltraderumors.co.
Fehoko, 26, was a fourth-round pick by the Cowboys in the 2023 NFL Draft out of San Jose State. In 2026, he has already appeared in one game for the 49ers.
The exact date of the signing has not been specified.
A JOURNEY SINCE THE COWBOYS
Fehoko was in the second year of a four-year, $3,840,000 rookie contract when the Cowboys waived him with an injury designation coming out of the preseason. The specific nature of that injury designation is not detailed in the source.
He landed with Indianapolis late in 2025, signing onto the Colts practice squad after spending the offseason with Washington. That stint did not last into the new league year — Indianapolis waived him this offseason after he signed a futures deal.
Fehoko caught on with San Francisco near the end of camp, per nfltraderumors.co. He was among the final roster cuts but did not stay unemployed for long, starting on the 49ers practice squad.
He was promoted to the active roster, appearing in one game for the team in 2026. The 49ers then let him go, and now he is back on the practice squad.
The path from Dallas fourth-rounder to San Francisco practice squad has been a winding one, with stops in Washington and Indianapolis along the way.
THE NUMBERS BEHIND THE MOVE
Fehoko is 26 years old, per nfltraderumors.co, and still early in his professional timeline despite the circuitous route. He entered the league as a fourth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, selected by the Cowboys out of San Jose State.
That draft capital came with a four-year rookie contract worth $3,840,000. Fehoko was in the second year of that deal when Dallas waived him with an injury designation coming out of the preseason.
The financial terms mattered then, but they are only part of the picture now. What defines Fehoko's career so far is opportunity — and how rarely it has come.
In 2026, Fehoko has appeared in one game for the 49ers, per nfltraderumors.co. That is the only game action the source confirms for him this season, and no additional statistics beyond that game total are provided.
The numbers are thin because the playing time has been thin. One appearance, one active-roster stint, and now a return to the practice squad — that is the full statistical record the source supports.
WHY THIS SIGNING MATTERS
Fehoko was among the final roster cuts this year, per nfltraderumors.co. That placement matters: it means the 49ers kept him around until the last moment before trimming to 53, a sign the organization values what he offers even if he did not make the initial roster.
He has already appeared in one game for the 49ers in 2026, according to nfltraderumors.co. That single appearance shows he can contribute at the NFL level when called up, and it gives the coaching staff a known commodity to turn to rather than an untested option.
His return to the practice squad provides depth on the defensive line, per nfltraderumors.co. With the wear and tear of a full season, having a player who knows the system and has already been through an active-roster stint is a practical asset for the rotation.
The source does not specify any injury or performance issues that led to his previous release. That has not been confirmed, so the reason for his departure from the practice squad earlier this year remains unclear — only that he was let go after being promoted to the active roster.
For 49ers fans, the takeaway is simple: the team did not want to lose Fehoko entirely. He is back in the building, one step from the field, and already proven he can handle a game-day role.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
Fehoko is now on the 49ers practice squad, so his next opportunity could come if the team needs to promote him again, per nfltraderumors.co. The source notes he was previously promoted to the active roster, suggesting a similar path could occur.
There is no confirmed timeline for a potential promotion or next game appearance. That has not been established, so fans should not expect an immediate move — only that the door remains open.
The 49ers have already shown they are willing to elevate him when the roster calls for it. He appeared in one game in 2026, giving the coaching staff a known commodity to turn to if the defensive line needs reinforcement.
For now, Fehoko waits his turn in the practice squad rotation. The next decision belongs to the 49ers' front office, and any promotion would reportedly follow the same route as his earlier stint.
Fans should follow NFL Trade Rumors on X.com and Facebook for breaking NFL News and Rumors for all 32 teams. That is where any update on Fehoko's status, or a potential elevation, would first surface.
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