The San Francisco 49ers released wide receiver Malik Turner from the practice squad on Tuesday, clearing a spot for defensive lineman Kevin Givens, via the NFL transaction wire.
The move came hours after the 49ers acquired defensive tackle DeForest Buckner from the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round pick, part of roster adjustments as the 6-1 team enters its Week 8 bye.
Turner, a 30-year-old (born January 30, 1996) from Springfield, Illinois, stands 6-foot-2 and 202 pounds.
An undrafted free agent out of the University of Illinois, he began his NFL career with the Seattle Seahawks in 2018.
Over six seasons, he has also spent time with the Dallas Cowboys, Las Vegas Raiders, Houston Texans, and Indianapolis Colts, plus multiple stints with the 49ers.
In 47-plus career games (three starts), Turner has recorded 29 receptions for 414 yards and four touchdowns.
His most productive season came in 2019 with Seattle (15 catches, 245 yards, one score). In 2021 with Dallas, he posted 12 receptions for 149 yards and three touchdowns.
He has primarily contributed on special teams while serving as receiving depth.
Turner’s relationship with the 49ers has been recurring. He signed with the club in 2022, spent time on the practice squad and active roster in subsequent years, and appeared in three games in 2025.
After being released in final cuts on August 30, 2026, he returned to the practice squad on October 1. This season he appeared in two games, mostly on special teams, without recording a reception.
He was elevated for brief active-roster stints earlier in October before reverting to the practice squad.
The 49ers cited no specific performance issues.
The corresponding addition of Givens, a longtime San Francisco defensive lineman who had recently been released, reflects the team’s focus on reinforcing the defensive front following the Buckner acquisition and ongoing injuries along the line.
Buckner, a three-time Pro Bowl selection drafted seventh overall by the 49ers in 2016, returns in a contract year after a productive stretch with the Colts.
As a free agent, Turner offers experience, size, and special-teams value that could interest teams seeking late-season depth. The 49ers, meanwhile, continue refining a roster built for a deep postseason run.
