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Kevin Givens has landed a spot on the San Francisco 49ers' practice squad.
The former Altoona Area High School and Penn State player did not make the team's 53-player roster, which was announced Saturday.
However, he was one of nine players signed to San Francisco's practice squad a day later.
Two of those, Givens and Jeremiah Valoaga, are defensive linemen, which is considered one of the 49ers' deepest positions.
Givens' agent, Kaveh Akbari of MBK Sports, believes staying with the organization that he's been with since reporting in July is a plus for Givens.
"They took care of him," Akbari said. "He's in good shape there to be activated this season."
Givens originally signed a contract worth $495,000, if he made the 53-man roster. The practice squad pays $8,000 per week and allows up to 10 players on it.
Former Hollidaysburg Area High School and William & Mary linebacker Luke Rhodes started his NFL career as a member of the Indianapolis Colts' practice squad before earning a spot on the 53-player roster and then being switched to long snapper, where he's starting his third season.
Altoona Area High School product Julian Howsare was on and off the New York Jets' roster from 2015-17 and is currently playing with Hamilton in the Canadian Football League.
Givens (6-foot-1, 285 pounds) lettered at Penn State for three seasons before bypassing a final year of eligibility, and the 49ers quickly signed him after he went undrafted in April. He played in four exhibition games and made four tackles.
Akbari believes his client has a good future.
"This is not the end of his story," he said. "He's going to have a long career in the league."
Givens could not be reached on Sunday.
-- Neil Rudel