3:41pm: The 49ers have officially signed Thomas, moving Bush to the season-ending injured reserve list, the team announced today in a press release.
10:00am: A day after signing Shaun Draughn, the 49ers are adding another running back to their banged-up backfield. According to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (via Twitter), the 49ers are signing veteran free agent Pierre Thomas. Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com had reported earlier today that Thomas was returning to San Francisco for another visit.
Thomas, 30, saw his 2014 campaign with the Saints 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, and later auditioned for the Chiefs in the wake of Jamaal Charles‘ injury, but couldn’t find a deal with either Houston or Kansas City. The Niners hosted Thomas for a tryout a little over two weeks ago, and will now add him to a roster that has been hit hard by injuries.
With Carlos Hyde dealing with a stress fracture in his foot, Reggie Bush and rookie Mike Davis were called upon to carry the rushing load for the Niners in Week 8. However, Bush suffered a season-ending knee injury, and Davis sustained a fractured hand, leaving Kendall Gaskins as the only healthy back on the roster.
San Francisco signed Draughn yesterday to complement Gaskins, and figure to use incorporate the veteran Thomas into the mix as well, at least until Hyde and Davis are healthy enough to return.
I can’t believe it’s taken Thomas this long to find a home. He’s still a solid player, and with some of the RB situations around the league, seems like he should’ve found a role awhile ago.