The San Francisco 49ers made headlines recently by re-signing veteran tight end Logan Thomas just weeks after releasing him. The decision raised eyebrows, prompting questions about the reasoning behind it. Head coach Kyle Shanahan provided clarity on the situation, explaining why the team brought Thomas back into the fold.
The 49ers initially released Thomas on August 9, which seemed to signal that the veteran tight end might not have secured a spot on the roster. However, just over two weeks later, the team re-signed him, leading to speculation about whether the move was a mistake or part of a larger strategy.
“Logan wasn’t a guy we wanted to let go of,” Shanahan explained on Sunday. “He just had an injury and some other roster issues came up. We told him that if we could bring him back once he was healthy and if we had a spot, we would. He had some opportunities with other teams, but he wanted to come back here, and we felt very fortunate because we definitely wanted him back.”
Shanahan’s comments indicate that Thomas’s release was more about managing the roster during a period of injuries rather than a reflection of his abilities. Although Thomas isn’t known for his blocking—a critical skill for tight ends in Shanahan’s system—he remains a reliable receiver. His release was likely a temporary measure to address other urgent needs, as the 49ers added punter Pressley Harvin III and defensive lineman Jonathan Garvin to the roster at that time.
Given his experience and familiarity with the 49ers’ offense, Thomas’s brief absence may not have been a significant concern for the team. Now that he’s back, the question remains whether Thomas will play a key role in the offense or primarily provide depth behind star tight end George Kittle. Either way, the 49ers are pleased to have him back in their ranks as they continue to shape their roster for the season.
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