Report: 49ers to sign former Washington tight end Jordan Reed

The 49ers are adding an insurance policy at tight end who is familiar with head coach Kyle Shanahan and his complicated offense.

Jordan Reed, a former third-round pick in 2013 with Washington when Shanahan was the offensive coordinator, agreed to terms with San Francisco on Monday on a one-year contract, according to an ESPN report.

Reed, who turned 30 on July 3, hasn’t played since 2018 and missed all of last season following his seventh documented concussion during the preseason.

Reed made the Pro Bowl in 2016 and has averaged just under 55 catches and 562 yards over his six seasons. He’s scored 24 career touchdowns, including 11 in 2015. But his health is a major question mark as it was believed his series of head injuries could lead him to retirement. Reed reunites with his former Washington running mate, left tackle Trent Williams, who was traded to the 49ers in the spring following Joe Staley’s retirement.

San Francisco has spent the offseason looking to bolster its tight end group following the departures of Garrett Celek (retirement) and Levine Toilolo (free agency, New York Giants). The team was reportedly interested in former Atlanta Falcon Austin Hooper, who signed a four-year, $44 million contract with the Cleveland Browns.

The 49ers added former Georgia Bulldog, Charlie Woerner, with a sixth-round pick in the draft. Woerner has just 34 catches for 376 yards in four seasons, but is considered a dynamic blocker.

Adding Reed comes while the 49ers are trying to work out a record-setting contract extension for All-Pro tight end George Kittle, although the two sides are reportedly not close to an agreement, according to NFL Network. Kittle is on the last year of his rookie contract after being drafted in the fifth round in 2017. He’s due to make just over $2.2 million this season.

Reed presumably offers the 49ers a quality secondary option to Kittle. Shanahan favors big personnel groupings for his outside zone running scheme and play-action passing attack. And adding Reed as a pass catcher makes sense given the team is expected to be without top receiver Deebo Samuel early in the regular season due to a Jones fracture in his foot suffered in June.

Former undrafted free agents Ross Dwelley, Daniel Helm and Chase Harrell round out the tight end group.

This story was originally published August 3, 2020 at 12:14 PM.