The 49ers are facing a tricky decision regarding their offensive line. Should they take a chance on a familiar face, or is it time to move on?
With the recent injury to Ben Bartch, the San Francisco 49ers might be considering a claim on Laken Tomlinson, a veteran offensive lineman recently waived by the Houston Texans. But is Tomlinson the answer to their problems?
Tomlinson, once a highly regarded player, seems to have lost his spark. The 33-year-old started for the Texans as recently as Week 9 but has been benched since. While he is known for his professionalism and likable personality, his on-field performance has been a topic of discussion.
Here's where it gets intriguing: fans' opinions differ greatly. Texans fans celebrated his departure on social media, while 49ers fans might remember a different player from his time with them in 2021. But the stats don't lie. Tomlinson's performance has been declining, with a blown block rate of 4.1% in pass protection and 6.6% as a run blocker, ranking him among the worst in the NFL.
The 49ers are in a bind, as their interior options are limited to Connor Colby and Nick Zakelj. Tomlinson's experience and familiarity with the team could be valuable, but is it worth the risk? And this is the part most people miss: Shanahan's assessment of Tomlinson's intangibles could be the deciding factor.
Is bringing back Tomlinson a step forward or a lateral move? The 49ers need stability, and Tomlinson has always been known for that. But is he the right person to provide it at this stage of his career? That's the question the 49ers must answer.
What do you think? Should the 49ers take the plunge and bring Tomlinson back, or is it time to look towards the future?
