Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images
There’s nothing like a little reunion.
The 49ers lost one tight end already in MyCole Pruitt, who head coach Kyle Shanahan said is “out for a little bit” with a calf injury, leaving the already short-staffed tight end room looking even leaner. Currently, the room’s healthy tight ends are George Kittle, Ross Dwelley, Charlie Woerner and Josh Pederson. There’s also backup fullback Josh Hokit in a pinch.
In order to sort that depth issue, San Francisco is bringing back a familiar face in Jordan Matthews. If that sounds a little odd, that’s because Matthews, the former 42nd overall pick by the Philadelphia Eagles back in 2014, has been a receiver for his entire career.
But Matthews has spent this offseason adding size and training as a tight end. According to Turon Davenport, Matthews put on a whopping 30 pounds to prepare his body for the position and was working with University of Louisville staff over the summer.
Former #Eagles WR Jordan Matthews has put on 30 pounds and is looking to play TE for his next team. Matthews is working out at Univ. of Louisville w/their WR coach Gunter Brewer and asst TE coach Stu Holt. Hear him discuss the details with me ⬇️ https://t.co/u65JdnObmB
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) June 17, 2021
According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, Matthews now re-signing with the 49ers.
#49ers are signing TE Jordan Matthews, source says. The position switch for the former WR results in a roster spot for the Niners.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) July 31, 2021
Matthews played for the 49ers in each of the last two seasons, but only saw action in a combined two games, mostly playing as a special teamer and being kept on the team’s practice squad. His best career came in his sophomore campaign with the Eagles, when he caught 85 passes for 997 yards and 8 touchdowns.
