Midseason waiver pickup is re-signed

Defensive tackle Chris Jones won’t be swept away as part of the 49ers’ extensive offseason house-cleaning.

The 49ers re-signed Jones, 26, to a one-year contract Thursday after he was one of their few pleasant surprises in 2016. In six starts, Jones had 17 tackles and helped steady the NFL’s 32nd-ranked run defense after he was claimed off waivers from the Dolphins on Nov. 8.

The 49ers’ new regime evidently was impressed. Of the 49ers’ 20 free agents, head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch have brought back only Jones and wide receiver Jeremy Kerley. They have also cut wide receiver Torrey Smith, safety Antoine Bethea and center Marcus Martin after inheriting a team that went 2-14 in 2016.

After Jones’ arrival in 2016, the 49ers allowed an average of 143.2 rushing yards per game, which was 36 fewer than they surrendered on average in their first 10 games.

In 2013, Jones — a sixthround pick of the Texans — led AFC rookies with six sacks and started 11 games with the Patriots. In 2014, he had three sacks, made 12 starts and a won a title with New England, playing 14 snaps in the Super Bowl with a torn calf muscle that required offseason surgery.

Jones figures to provide depth on the interior of a defensive front that includes tackles Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner, and nose guard Earl Mitchell, who signed with the 49ers last month.