The 49ers signed defensive lineman Joe Cohen on Thursday, inking another fourth-round pick to a four-year contract. Cohen started 33 games for Florida, including 12 starts at defensive tackle during the Gators' national championship season. The 310-pound former offensive lineman will compete for playing time on the 49ers' young three-man defensive line.

Former Giants and 49ers quarterback Jesse Palmer has retired from the CFL to pursue a broadcasting career in the United States. The Ottawa native informed the Montreal Alouettes of his decision this week, coach and GM Jim Popp said Thursday.

Former Lions lineman John Gonzaga, who was working in a steel mill when he was signed by the 49ers in 1956, has died. He was 74. Gonzaga died Thursday at his home in the Detroit suburb of West Bloomfield Township, according to the Lions and McCabe Funeral Home in Farmington Hills. A cause of death wasn't released, the funeral home said. The team said Gonzaga's death followed a lengthy illness. Born in Martinez, Calif., Gonzaga played five seasons for Detroit (1961-65) and worked for Ford Motor Co. during the offseason. He also played for the 49ers (1956-59), the Cowboys (1960) and the Broncos (1966).