The San Francisco 49ers are shaking things up on their roster before training camp even kicks off this Sunday. General Manager John Lynch announced Saturday the club is signing tight end Tanner McLachlan, bringing in a new face while waiving undrafted rookie Khalil Dinkins in a corresponding roster move. It’s a classic early-season shuffle, but for a guy like McLachlan, this is a real shot to stick.
Dinkins’ Short Stint Ends on the NFI List
Man, it’s rough out there for undrafted rookies. Khalil Dinkins, fresh out of Penn State, signed with the 49ers after going unselected in this year’s draft. That’s already a tough mountain to climb, just getting your foot in the door. But now, his time in San Francisco is over before it really even began. Dinkins was placed on the non-football injury list after apparently suffering an injury sometime during the offseason. You hate to see it happen to any player, especially a rookie trying to prove himself. For an undrafted guy, an early injury like that can absolutely derail a chance to make a first impression. It’s a brutal break and opens the door for someone else to step in.
McLachlan’s Redemption Arc Continues in San Fran
That “someone else” is Tanner McLachlan, and his NFL journey has been a bit of a wild ride already. He entered the league as a sixth-round pick for the Cincinnati Bengals back in the 2024 draft. But hey, just making it to the league as a draft pick is a huge accomplishment, right? Unfortunately, he only played in two games for Cincinnati as a rookie, logged just five offensive snaps, and didn’t record a single stat. The Bengals cut him loose at final cuts last year. He bounced around a bit, landing on the Los Angeles Chargers practice squad in December, and then signing a reserve/future contract before they let him go in May. Now, at 27 years old, the 6-foot-5, 245-pound tight end gets another shot. McLachlan put up solid numbers in college, especially in his final two seasons at the University of Arizona, where he snagged 79 catches for 984 yards and six scores across 25 games. He even had three catches for 42 yards on six targets in two NFL preseasons with the Bengals. The talent is there; it’s about making it stick.
A Thin TE Room Means a Real Opportunity
Here’s the kicker: this isn’t just a random swap. The 49ers reportedly have a “relatively thin” tight end room. That means McLachlan isn’t just cannon fodder; he’s got a legitimate opportunity to carve out a role. He’ll be competing with guys like Hayden Rucci and Brayden Willis for a spot on the back end of the roster. Let’s be real, his most likely path to staying in San Francisco might be through the practice squad, especially given his history. But for a player who’s been waived multiple times, getting an invite to training camp with a chance to compete for a roster spot, even if it’s the practice squad, is everything. This Sunday, when camp officially opens, McLachlan will be fighting for his NFL future, and that’s what makes these early moves so compelling.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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