Nick Williams, an experienced defensive lineman, signed a formal contract. In tandem, the team cut loose linebacker Zeke Turner.

Williams, a seasoned player of ten years, has made 48 starts in 97 games. The previous season, he was the head coach of the Chargers under 49ers assistant head coach Brandon Staley.

His addition to the DL room relieves some of the strain caused by Kalia Davis’s injury, which will prevent him from playing for the first half of the season.

Players introduced this late in the camp usually serve as temporary fill-ins for the team during the preseason and camp, but Williams ought to have a good chance of making the 53-man roster. There aren’t many reliable rotational defensive tackles on the 49ers, so Williams will have an advantage due to his experience in the run-up to the second preseason game.

It’s a little unexpected that Turner was released. Prior to signing with the 49ers this summer as a free agent, he was an ace on special teams for the Cardinals. Turner seemed prepared to lend support to San Francisco’s kick coverage units, who could use it. But there weren’t many opportunities for Turner to make the roster because the 49ers have a surplus of linebackers.

He will now have the opportunity to make an impact as an unrestricted free agent elsewhere.