49ers set to sign veteran tight end, bolstering thin spot behind Kittle

The 49ers are reportedly signing veteran Logan Thomas to serve as a secondary tight end behind All-Pro George Kittle.

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo first reported the news Monday, later confirmed by Associated Press sources.

Thomas, 32, played the last four seasons for the Washington Commanders. His first year in Washington was the most productive of his career, as he hauled in 72 catches for 640 yards and six touchdowns. Last year, he had 55 catches for 496 yards and four scores.

After both Charlie Woerner and Ross Dwelley signed with the Atlanta Falcons in free agency, the 49ers looked thin at the position entering this week’s minicamp. Two players entering their second season with no career catches appeared to be next up in the pecking order: Brayden Willis, a 2023 seventh-round pick, dressed for all three playoff games last year but did not record a catch, while third-rounder Cam Latu tore his meniscus in training camp.

Kittle, 30 has played 14 games or more in six of his seven career seasons, including 16 starts last season before sitting out the 49ers’ low-stakes finale against the Rams. But the five-time Pro Bowler’s physical style makes him an injury risk.

Thomas might also help fill out the 49ers’ trick-play options as he played quarterback at Virginia Tech, where he was a second-team All-ACC performer as a sophomore in 2011. He transitioned from quarterback to full-time tight end after his rookie season with the Arizona Cardinals, then bounced around practice squads before playing a handful of games for Buffalo (2017-18) and Detroit (2019) and ultimately landing with Washington.