Matthews survives SF’S first cuts
His conversion from veteran wide receiver to novice tight end working better than Tebow’s attempt in Jacksonville
SANTA CLARA » Tim Tebow didn’t survive first cuts as a converted tight end with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jordan Matthews did with the 49ers this week.
“What better tight end room to come into?” Matthews said of the 49ers, not because of a potential opening but for the chance to learn from George Kittle and many more.
“You have the best dual-threat tight end in the league,” Matthews added. “You can just watch George in the run game and pass game, you’ll get an Aplus example of everything what’s asked at the tight end position. And I see a No. 1 tight end caliber in Ross Dwelley.”
The odds are still against Matthews, 29, from making the 53-man roster in two weeks and joining a tight end unit that also returns Charlie Woerner.
Matthews is vying for a potential No. 4 spot, as is veteran Mycole Pruitt, who was missed most of camp with a calf injury. When it came time to cut a tight end by Tuesday’s 85-man limit, it was Joshua Perkins, not Matthews.
Most likely, Matthews is invited to fill one of the six veteran spots allowed on this season’s 16-man practice squad.
Matthews’ switch from wide receiver was something he pondered back on the Philadelphia Eagles, who drafted him in the second round in 2014 and employed him off and on through 2019; Matthews spent 2018 with the Bills.
His career started swiftly as a wide receiver, averaging 900 yards and eight touchdowns per year in 2014 and ’15. But in recent years, Matthews bounced on and off the Eagles and 49ers. This offseason, he said he had the respect of potential suitors, just no serious interest.
Then came word, via the 49ers, that Trey Lance needed wide receivers to target at his second pro day before the draft. Matthews headed to Fargo, North Dakota for that — their — April audition.