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SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The San Francisco 49ers claimed linebacker Ahmad Brooks off waivers from Cincinnati on Sunday, and waived linebacker Dontarrious Thomas to make room on their 53-man roster.
Brooks spent his first two NFL seasons with the Bengals, starting five games as a rookie. He appeared in only two games last year before a groin injury ended his season, and he was among Cincinnati's final cuts Saturday.
Brooks, who is likely to back up Pro Bowl linebacker Patrick Willis, has a history of bad behavior. He was dismissed from the Virginia football team before his senior season after frequent trouble with coach Al Groh, and he was accused of punching a woman in the face in northern Kentucky in April.
The 49ers signed Thomas early in free agency after four seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, but he never earned a major role in the offseason program or training camp. San Francisco also signed linebacker Takeo Spikes during camp, waiving veteran linebacker Brandon Moore to make room.
San Francisco also signed the first six members of its practice squad: running back Thomas Clayton, defensive tackle Atiyyah Ellison, tight end J.J. Finley, linebacker Larry Grant, defensive end Louis Holmes and receiver Dominique Zeigler. Former California offensive lineman Brian De La Puente got away from the 49ers, signing with Kansas City after excelling in training camp with San Francisco.
