Thomas was released by the 49ers on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Thomas originally joined the 49ers in June after spending the past four season with the Commanders. The 33-year-old was then released Aug. 9 before re-signing with the team Thursday, but he did not make it through San Francisco's final cuts down to the 53-man roster. Thomas could be a candidate to come back on the practice squad, otherwise he'll look for an opportunity elsewhere ahead of the regular season. Meanwhile, Jake Tonges should serve as the 49ers' top backup behind George Kittle.

The 49ers re-signed Thomas on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

The 49ers cut Thomas earlier this month, but he's back with the team to provide depth behind top tight end George Kittle. In that context, Thomas' initial fantasy upside is limited, but the 33-year-old did catch 55 passes with the Commanders last season and could provide streaming value in the event that Kittle misses time.

The 49ers released Thomas (hamstring) on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Thomas inked a one-year deal with San Francisco back in June and appeared set to provide the team with valuable veteran depth behind top tight end George Kittle, so it's somewhat surprising to see him be released two weeks into training camp. A hamstring injury had kept Thomas out of practice for roughly the last week, but unless he's reached an injury settlement, his release indicates a clean bill of health. Thomas will now look for an opportunity elsewhere in the league, likely as a backup or rotational option for another team.

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan announced Friday that Thomas is currently missing practice with a hamstring injury, David Lombardi of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Thomas signed with San Francisco back in early June after playing out the last four seasons with Washington. The severity of the tight end's hamstring problem has not been disclosed, but more information should be released in the near future.

The 49ers are slated to sign Thomas to a contract, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

A quarterback in college, Thomas has come into his own as a tight end the past four seasons with Washington, hauling in 72 passes in 2020 and 55 last year. Overall, he averaged 9.2 YPC and 6.1 YPT and scored 14 touchdowns on 274 targets in 52 games during that span. With San Francisco, Thomas will provide a veteran presence in its TE room behind starter George Kittle.

Washington announced the release of Thomas on Friday, saving the team roughly $6.5 million in cap space.

EDGE Analysis

Thomas' release leaves the Commanders with about $1.7 million in dead cap space. The veteran tight end is heading into his age-33 season but logged a solid bounce-back effort in 2023, having secured 55 of 79 targets for 496 yards and four scores across 16 regular-season games. A proven contributor capable of moving the chains on offense, Thomas should garner real interest on the free agent market, though he's not guaranteed a chance at a true starting role at this point in his career. Washington also released veteran tackle Charles Leno in a cap-saving move Friday.

Thomas caught 55 of 79 targets for 496 yards and four touchdowns in 2023.

EDGE Analysis

Thomas suffered an Achilles tear in 2021 and then had only 323 yards and one touchdown in 14 games last season. He bounced back some in his age-31/32 campaign, missing just one game and ultimately posting a receiving line pretty similar to teammate Jahan Dotson's. Many expected QB Sam Howell to really focus on getting the ball to Dotson and Terry McLaurin, but the target distribution ended up fairly wide in Year 1 under OC Eric Bieniemy (who is still with the team... for now). Thomas has one year left on his contract, scheduled for a non-guaranteed $5.34 million base salary and a $500,000 roster bonus due on the third day (March 15) of the league year. If he does return to Washington, it'll likely entail an extension or pay cut to lower his $8.315 million cap hit (per overthecap.com).

Thomas caught three of four targets for 20 yards in Sunday's 27-10 loss to the 49ers.

EDGE Analysis

Thomas played 28 of the Commanders' 46 offensive snaps Sunday, while backup tight end John Bates was on the field for just three fewer snaps. The veteran now has 54 catches for 487 yards and four touchdowns in 15 games, his highest marks in each category since the 2020 season.

Thomas caught five of six targets for 36 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 30-28 loss to the Jets.

EDGE Analysis

The tight end caught the only TD pass of the day for a Washington quarterback, connecting with Jacoby Brissett on a 15-yard strike late in the third quarter after Sam Howell had been benched once again. It was Thomas' fourth touchdown of the season but his first since late October, and he could be a more appealing fantasy option in Week 17 against the 49ers if Commanders coach Ron Rivera makes the call to give the start to Brissett.

Thomas caught one of three targets for seven yards in a 28-20 loss to the Rams on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

After averaging 4.3 catches for 40.9 yards and 0.3 TDs in his first 10 appearances this year, Thomas has just three catches for 22 yards on eight targets over his past three games. Next up is a Week 16 matchup with the Jets.