Niners sign CFL LB Shawn Lemon to fill Smith vacancy

The 49ers have signed CFL veteran Shawn Lemon to fill the roster spot opened by the release of Aldon Smith.

Lemon and the 49ers announced the signing in separate tweets on Saturday. Lemon, who turns 27 this month, spent a few months with the Steelers this offseason before he was waived on July 29. In five CFL seasons, Lemon played linebacker, like Smith, and totaled 22 sacks.

Lemon will still have to make the 49ers' roster, but in a defense decimated by retirements and other departures, he may have his best chance yet to break into the NFL.

The latest Around The NFL Podcast covers the latest on Aldon Smith's release and breaks down the training camp stories flying under the radar.