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One of the enticing prospects for the 49ers heading into last season was seeing the tandem of George Kittle and Jordan Reed on the field at the same time. That didn’t really happen. Kittle suffered an MCL sprain before later fracturing his foot. Reed himself suffered an MCL sprain, and due to the timing of the injuries, the only games both played in were the Week 1 and Week 16 games against the Arizona Cardinals.
With Kyle Shanahan reportedly targeting Cleveland Browns tight end Austin Hooper in free agency last offseason, it’s clear the hope was to add Reed as an elite No. 2. While that didn’t come to fruition, Reed played well in his brief return to football after myriad concussions caused him to miss the 2019 season. He finished the year with 26 receptions for 231 yards and 4 TDs.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Reed will retire, citing last season as a point that Reed can look at as a source of pride. His contract expired after the year, meaning he’ll retire as a free agent.
With him gone, the 49ers will have to add another tight end, likely through the draft, with just Kittle, Ross Dwelley and Charlie Woerner on the roster.
Former Pro Bowl TE Jordan Reed is retiring, sources say. A 2013 3rd-round pick by the Washington Football Team, Reed emerged as one of the game’s best receiving TEs before battling injuries. His improbable comeback with #49ers last season allowed him to walk away with no regrets.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 20, 2021