The Houston Texans have officially waived veteran guard Laken Tomlinson, putting the 33-year-old on the waiver wire and potentially opening the door for a reunion with the San Francisco 49ers - the team he once helped anchor during a strong 2021 campaign.
Tomlinson’s release marks the end of a short and uneven stint in Houston. He started games for the Texans as recently as Week 9, but had since been a healthy scratch. While fans in Houston seemed more than ready to move on, the situation is a bit more layered when you zoom out.
Tomlinson isn’t the same player he was during his prime with the Niners, but he’s still a respected veteran with a track record of durability and professionalism. He started all 17 games for Seattle just last season, and while the Seahawks chose not to re-sign him, that level of availability still carries weight - especially in a league where offensive line depth is constantly tested.
Now the question becomes: does a reunion with San Francisco make sense?
Let’s start with the need. The 49ers are thin at left guard.
With Ben Bartch out for the season, Spencer Burford has been holding down the fort, but the depth behind him - Connor Colby and Nick Zakelj - is unproven. Tomlinson, at the very least, brings experience and familiarity with Kyle Shanahan’s system.
That’s not nothing.
But here’s where things get tricky: the tape and the numbers tell a sobering story. According to Sports Info Solutions, Tomlinson’s blown block rate sits at 4.1% in pass protection and 6.6% in the run game - the latter ranking as the fifth-worst among all NFL offensive linemen. That’s a steep drop-off from the reliable presence he once was in San Francisco.
At this stage in his career, Tomlinson has to rely more on anticipation than raw athleticism. He’s tipping plays to get a jump off the snap, trying to compensate for a step lost with age. That’s a tough place to be, especially in a system that demands quickness and precision from its interior linemen.
Still, if the 49ers value locker room presence, scheme familiarity, and a steady veteran hand, Tomlinson could at least be in the conversation. He’s not likely to be a game-changer, but in a position group that’s been a revolving door all season, even a lateral move could bring some short-term stability.
It’s not a slam dunk, and it wouldn’t be a move made with long-term upside in mind. But if Shanahan and the front office believe Tomlinson’s experience outweighs his recent struggles, don’t be surprised if he gets the call.