Ben Bartch: Everything you need to know

Bartch (foot) signed a contract with Detroit on Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Bartch appears fully recovered from the foot sprain that forced his 2025 campaign with the 49ers to come to an early end last December, and he'll now provide depth along the interior of the Lions' offensive line. The 27-year-old guard has started 24 of 55 career regular-season appearances.

The 49ers placed Bartch (foot) on injured reserve Monday. Bartch sprained his foot against Cleveland in Week 13 and will now be required to miss the remainder of the regular season. He'll be eligible to return to action if San Francisco makes the playoffs, but in the meantime Spencer Burford is slated to take over as the starter at left guard.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters Monday that Bartch will be placed on injured deserve after spraining his foot during the 49ers' 26-8 win over the Browns on Sunday, David Lombardi of SFStandard.com reports. A stint on injured reserve requires a player to miss at least the next four games. With the 49ers on a bye Week 14, Bartch wouldn't be eligible to be activated from IR until the playoffs, assuming San Francisco qualifies for the postseason. Spencer Burford is slated to start at left guard for at least the rest of the regular season in Bartch's absence.