Gross-Matos has been sidelined since Week 5 with a knee injury that required a stint on injured reserve. Now a situational player for the San Francisco defense, Gross-Matos should return to a modest role in clear passing situations for a 49ers team looking to make a second half push for the playoffs.

Gross-Matos suffered a knee injury the team’s Week 4 win over the Patriots and did not suit up in Week 5 against the Cardinals. The veteran pass rusher has played in three games for the Nines this season, totaling just one tackle while failing to record a sack. Depending on how his recovery goes, Gross-Matos could return anytime between early-November to early-December.

The four-year veteran appeared in 55 games for the Panthers, starting 23 of his final 29 games with the team. He was placed on injured reserve prior to Week 8 in 2023 but returned for the final six games to play an integral role for the defense. He should initially serve as a sub-package player for the stout San Francisco defense.

Gross-Matos had been one of the few bright spots on the Carolina defense, recording 2.5 sacks already, just one off his career-high. However, he injured his hamstring in Week 7 and head coach Frank Reich told reporters that “It wasn’t just a little strain, it was pretty significant.” Gross-Matos will now have four weeks to try and heal up.