The San Francisco 49ers have brought back a familiar face for their playoff run.

San Francisco has re-signed Austin Bryant to its practice squad and released running back Jeremy McNichols.

Bryant signed with the 49ers as a free agent in the offseason. He did not make the 53-man roster but was signed to the practice squad after being released, going on to play in the season-opening win over the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Week 5 rout of the Dallas Cowboys.

The former Detroit Lions edge rusher was released in November and spent the rest of the season on the practice squad of the Minnesota Vikings. 

However, the Vikings did not sign him to a reserve/future contract at the end of the regular season, allowing Bryant to become a free agent.

Now he is back with the Niners in a move that makes sense with defensive end Clelin Ferrell ruled out of Saturday's divisional round matchup with the Green Bay Packers because of a knee injury.

San Francisco had little reason to retain McNichols on the practice squad, given their three running backs on the 53-man roster, Christian McCaffrey, Elijah Mitchell and Jordan Mason, are all healthy going into the postseason. The 49ers also have their former third-round pick Tyrion Davis-Price on the practice squad.

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