Russ Rabe is back once again in the National Football League mix as the San Francisco 49ers recently added the former University of Minnesota Duluth All-American to their practice squad.

Rabe, who starred with the Bulldogs from 2001-04 and remains the school's all-time leader in sacks, was a member of the NFL Europe's Hamburg Sea Devils last summer. He went on to receive a try out with the New Orleans Saints (the team he signed with as an undrafted free agent in May 2005), but was waived on Aug. 24.

Rabe, a 6-2, 228-pound linebacker from Lake Holcombe, Wis., also participated in the New York Giants' 2005 preseason training camp and saw action in pair of exhibition games prior to being released in late August.