Latest news with #Morstead
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
New 49ers punter Thomas Morstead picks new jersey number, which was already being worn
Last season, the San Francisco 49ers relied on Pat O'Donnell and Mitch Wishnowsky to handle the punting duties, and the team finished 30th in net yards per punt (39), 29th in total yards per punt (45.1) and tied for 30th in punts downed inside the 20-yard line (19). With that, San Francisco let O'Donnell go unsigned in free agency, and they opted to release Wishnowsky last month to sign veteran punter Thomas Morstead. Morstead, 39, joined the 49ers after 12 seasons with the New Orleans Saints, one with the Miami Dolphins, three with the New York Jets and a short stint with the Atlanta Falcons. When Morstead originally signed with San Francisco, he chose to wear No. 9, but he quickly informed fans who, as he said, would be so bold as to buy a punter's jersey, that it wouldn't be his permanent number for the 2025 season. On Thursday, Morstead announced that he'll officially wear No. 7 this year, which he hasn't worn despite wearing five different numbers in his career. Interestingly, No. 7 did belong to kicker Greg Joseph, who played with Morstead in New York last season. However, it appears that Joseph is switching to No. 3, which he'll share with wide receiver Malik Knowles for now. It's unclear if Morstead bought the number from Joseph, which has become customary in the NFL these days, but the two clearly have a relationship, so there's a chance that San Francisco's new kicker gave it to his friend. Joseph has worn six different numbers in his six previous stops, including No. 7, which he wore with the Tennessee Titans in his two games with them in 2019. More 49ers: Terrell Owens, Trent Williams among seven 49ers chosen for ESPN's All Quarter Century Team
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
49ers continue bolstering special teams by adding another 39-year-old
In an offseason defined by an injection of youth, the San Francisco 49ers are going the opposite direction on special teams. The San Francisco Chronicle's Eric Branch on Wednesday reported the 49ers signed veteran punter Thomas Morstead. That report came shortly after Morstead posted a photo on social media where he was at the 49ers' facility. Advertisement Morstead has been in the NFL since 2009 when he was a fifth-round draft pick of the New Orleans Saints. He's the second 39-year-old the 49ers have added this offseason, joining veteran longsnapper and former Houston Texan Jon Weeks. There's a distinct difference between Weeks and Morstead, though. Weeks was signed after the club released longsnapper Taybor Pepper. Morstead was brought in with veteran punter Mitch Wishnowsky still on the roster. Wishnowsky has had a lot of success with San Francisco since joining the club as a fourth-round pick in the 2019 draft, but he missed the final eight games last season because of a back injury that also limited him in training camp and the preseason. If the 49ers aren't sure about Wishnowsky's health, it makes sense that they'd bring in a veteran to compete in training camp in the event Wishnowsky isn't available for camp or the start of the season. Morstead spent his first 12 seasons with the Saints, then split a year between the Atlanta Falcons and New York Jets. He was with the Miami Dolphins in 2022 before rejoining the Jets for the last two seasons. Morstead was released by the Jets this offseason. In New York he played for new 49ers special teams coordinator Brant Boyer, who held the same position with the Jets from 2016-24. Advertisement In 16 seasons Morstead has averaged 46.8 yards per punt with 36.7 percent of his kicks being downed inside the 20. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2012 and earned a Second-Team All-Pro spot that same year. He was also part of the Saints Super Bowl championship team as a rookie in 2009. More 49ers: 49ers WR tempts fate by changing jersey number after one season This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: Report: 49ers sign P Thomas Morstead to compete with Mitch Wishnowsky
USA Today
28-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
49ers roster moves: Former 4th-round pick released, All-Pro signed
49ers roster moves: Former 4th-round pick released, All-Pro signed The San Francisco 49ers' special teams rebuild continues. After a disappointing 2024 campaign with a flurry of special-teams issues, the 49ers moved on from special teams coordinator Brian Schneider and hired former New York Jets special-teams coordinator Brant Boyer. With Boyer at the helm, changes have been coming to San Francisco's special teams unit, including the addition of a new punter. On Wednesday, the 49ers announced the signing of former All-Pro and Pro Bowl punter Thomas Morstead. With Morstead's arrival in Santa Clara, the 49ers waived longtime punter Mitch Wishnowsky. Wishnowsky has served as the 49ers' punter since being drafted with a fourth-round pick in the 2019 NFL draft. Wishnowsky only played nine games last season after suffering a back injury in Week 10 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Wishnowsky finished the season on the injured reserve. Morstead has spent 16 seasons in the NFL, most recently with the Jets under Boyer. Morstead has also punted for the Miami Dolphins, Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints. Morstead won the Super Bowl with the Saints in 2010. In 2012, he was named to the Pro Bowl and a second-team All-Pro. In 2023 with the Jets, the 39-year-old led the NFL in punting yards with 4,831. Morstead took to X on Wednesday to celebrate his signing with the 49ers. This post originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
UPI
28-05-2025
- Sport
- UPI
San Francisco 49ers sign punter Thomas Morstead
May 28 (UPI) -- San Francisco 49ers agreed to sign Thomas Morstead, the veteran punter announced Wednesday on social media. Terms of the pact are not yet disclosed. Morstead spent last season with the New York Jets, where new 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh served as head coach before being fired. The 16-year veteran averaged 47.2 yards per punt over 17 appearances last season. He punted a league-high 99 times for 4,831 yards -- 48.8 yards per punt -- in 2023. For his career, the 2012 Pro Bowl selection averaged 46.8 yards per punt on 960 attempts. The 49ers reported Tuesday for their first day of organized activity off-season workouts. Mandatory minicamp will be held June 10 and 11.
USA Today
28-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
49ers continue bolstering special teams by adding another 39-year-old
49ers continue bolstering special teams by adding another 39-year-old In an offseason defined by an injection of youth, the San Francisco 49ers are going the opposite direction on special teams. The San Francisco Chronicle's Eric Branch on Wednesday reported the 49ers signed veteran punter Thomas Morstead. That report came shortly after Morstead posted a photo on social media where he was at the 49ers' facility. Morstead has been in the NFL since 2009 when he was a fifth-round draft pick of the New Orleans Saints. He's the second 39-year-old the 49ers have added this offseason, joining veteran longsnapper and former Houston Texan Jon Weeks. There's a distinct difference between Weeks and Morstead, though. Weeks was signed after the club released longsnapper Taybor Pepper. Morstead was brought in with veteran punter Mitch Wishnowsky still on the roster. Wishnowsky has had a lot of success with San Francisco since joining the club as a fourth-round pick in the 2019 draft, but he missed the final eight games last season because of a back injury that also limited him in training camp and the preseason. If the 49ers aren't sure about Wishnowsky's health, it makes sense that they'd bring in a veteran to compete in training camp in the event Wishnowsky isn't available for camp or the start of the season. Morstead spent his first 12 seasons with the Saints, then split a year between the Atlanta Falcons and New York Jets. He was with the Miami Dolphins in 2022 before rejoining the Jets for the last two seasons. Morstead was released by the Jets this offseason. In New York he played for new 49ers special teams coordinator Brant Boyer, who held the same position with the Jets from 2016-24. In 16 seasons Morstead has averaged 46.8 yards per punt with 36.7 percent of his kicks being downed inside the 20. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2012 and earned a Second-Team All-Pro spot that same year. He was also part of the Saints Super Bowl championship team as a rookie in 2009. More 49ers: 49ers WR tempts fate by changing jersey number after one season
