Former Saints running back Pierre Thomas worked out for the 49ers on Monday, according to a source who spoke with ESPN.com’s Field Yates (on Twitter). Thomas was released by the Saints in early March and has been without an NFL home ever since.
When the Saints parted ways with Darren Sproles last March, the team re-committed to Thomas, signing him to a two-year, $4MM extension that spanned the 2015 and 2016 seasons. However, Thomas didn’t wind up playing out any part of that new deal. By cutting him, the Saints created $1.735MM in cap savings for 2015, carrying $800K in dead money on their books.
Thomas, 30, saw his 2014 campaign derailed by injuries and by an increasing workload for Mark Ingram, who received many of the carries that would have gone to Thomas in past years. Before he finished the season on injured reserve, Thomas ran for 222 yards on 45 attempts, both career-low totals. He did remain fairly involved in the passing game, however, grabbing 45 balls out of the backfield.
Thomas reportedly had a strong workout for the Texans back in August, though rumors of a deal there turned out to be false. Last month, it was reported that Thomas was seeking a salary around $1.3MM or $1.4MM, though I would imagine that his demands have come down since then. Thomas auditioned for the Chiefs last week in the wake of Jamaal Charles‘ injury, but there was no deal between him and KC.
The 49ers also worked out center Samson Satele, according to Mike Florio of PFT (Twitter link). Satele, 31 in November, spent the 2014 season with the Dolphins, starting all 16 games for the team. The eight-year veteran, who has also spent time with the Raiders and the Colts, has started 114 of his 118 career regular season contests, and we heard back in March that he was looking for a team that would give him an opportunity to compete for a starting center job. In August, he visited the Seahawks but he did not sign.
With as proven of a receiving skill set as he’s displayed, Thomas’ inability to book a league-minimum gig is a bit surprising, especially given the teams he’s tried out for having scant depth.
Pierre Thomas could be the best receiving back and running back in the nfl. but Sean Payton used him as just a work horse to get the saints to the red zone.then gave the ball to Ingram and Robinson to make them have better stats such as touchdowns.Payton also called passing plays 80% of time to help his favorite player brees in stats.while the man who protected him didn’t get much credit.Saints is my favorite teams loved them since I was born.but I just want the world to know the best back in the league never got much credit cause he was used and abused.so NFL teams would be crazy not to sign the best back if will get used right instead of abused.sign him and y’all will see