Logan Thomas arrived in San Francisco as an intriguing George Kittle backup option, but the veteran pass-catcher is already out of the picture. The 49ers released the recent free-agency addition as part of a roster shuffle on Friday.
San Francisco, which agreed to terms with punter Pressley Harvin
earlier on Friday, also placed defensive lineman Austin Bryant on IR. Bryant was going into his second season with the 49ers. Bryant sustained an injury this week, ESPN.com’s Nick Wagoner tweeted.
This news comes after Thomas has missed time due to a hamstring injury. The former quarterback went down early during training camp. The 49ers lost former Kittle backups Ross Dwelley and Charlie Woerner this offseason and saw the Lions match their Brock Wright RFA offer sheet. Thomas may end up finding a gig elsewhere, but he is now going into his age-33 season.
Thomas signed a vet-minimum deal in June but will see a second team drop him this year. The Commanders, who had extended their TE starter in 2021, released the 6-foot-6 weapon early this offseason. Thomas’ past production, inconsistent as it was, could generate another chance once he heals up. The former sixth-round Cardinals QB pick converted to tight end midway through his career and earned a three-year, $24.1M extension from Washington for his effort.
An ACL tear sidetracked Thomas following his 2020 breakthrough (72 receptions, 672 yards, six touchdowns),and he did not eclipse 350 yards in either of the following two seasons. In Eric Bieniemy‘s offense last year, the Terry McLaurin complementary target bounced back with a 496-yard, four-touchdown showing. Certainly not overly impressive numbers for a team’s top receiving tight end, but Pro Football Focus did rank the QB convert 17th among TEs in run blocking. That would have appealed to the 49ers, but they are giving up early.
Losing Woerner and Dwelley to the Falcons and seeing the Lions retain Wright, the 49ers do still have a variable behind Kittle. Third-round pick Cameron Latu missed his entire rookie season with an ACL tear. While the 49ers viewed the Alabama product as more of a developmental player — hence the Wright and Thomas moves — he has returned to work this offseason. Veteran Eric Saubert and 2023 seventh-rounder Brayden Willis (48 snaps in 2023) are also still on the team’s roster behind Kittle.
