The San Francisco 49ers released Rob Jones, who may not have been healthy enough to practice this upcoming week. We’ll see if Jones re-signs with the team or lands on the practice squad.
They may have believed Jones was expendable, which is why the 49ers traded for former Texans guard Jarrett Patterson. The 49ers gave up a 7th-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft for Patterson.
Patterson was drafted by former 49ers offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik back in 2023. As a rookie, Patterson started the first eight games of the season at center. Patterson suffered a fractured fibula in his right leg in Week 8, which cost him the rest of his rookie year in 2023. In 2024, Patterson played 537 snaps at center for Houston. He essentially started every game from Week 10 on that year.
During the 2025 regular season, Patterson played 267 snaps at left guard and 67 at center. Last preseason, he was exclusively a center. Patterson spent time playing left and right guard this past preseason for the Texans.
According to Sports Info Solutions, Patterson had an above-average blown block rate of 1.5% in 2024. He was close to perfect in pass protection, with only two blown blocks on 341 attempts. Most of his struggles came in the running game. That blown block rate jumped to 3.3%. League average is around 2.7%.
Patterson is on a one-year deal in 2026. His guaranteed salary is $1,145 million. The Texans will pay Patterson’s $442,000 signing bonus, so the 49ers are on the hook for Patterson’s cap hit of $1.395 million for 2026.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said the Niners were looking to add interior depth. Patterson is that signing. Being able to play left guard in a pinch gives the Niners much-needed versatility. We’ll see if Patterson’s addition spells the end for Drake Nugent, Connor Colby, or both in about an hour and a half.
Patterson played most of the preseason finale for the Texans, which is usually a sign that he would’ve been waived.