The San Francisco 49ers have signed tight end Justin Peelle to a one-year contract and cut safety Colin Jones, according to the team. Peelle is a nine-year veteran who has played for the San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons during his NFL career.
Peelle entered the NFL as a fourth-round draft pick in the 2001 NFL Draft by the Chargers. During his four years in San Diego, Peelle got 19 starts and recorded a total of 270 yards with four touchdowns.
He had his best season in Miami in 2007, when he notched 228 yards and two touchdowns on 29 receptions. He has spent the past three seasons with the Falcons but has not seen more than 159 receiving yards in any year.
The 49ers will likely use Peelle as a third tight end in place of guard Adam Snyder and offensive tackle Alex Boone, who together supplied that role for the 49ers last week. The 45-year-old journeyman will return to the West Coast, where he played college football (four years at Oregon).
The 49ers cut rookie Colin Jones in order to clear up roster space. Jones, drafted in the sixth-round of the 2011 NFL Draft, will be eligible to join the practice squad.