Texans Waive Laken Tomlinson Amid Roster Changes

The Houston Texans have officially waived offensive lineman Laken Tomlinson, a move that reflects the team's ongoing efforts to adjust their roster as they push for playoff contention. Tomlinson, who was signed to a one-year deal as a free agent during the offseason, began the season as the starting left guard, starting in seven of the first eight games.

However, his performance led to a loss of his starting position, and he was replaced by Jarrett Patterson in Week 10, subsequently becoming inactive for the last two games. According to Pro Football Talk, the Texans did not make a corresponding addition to their 53-man roster when announcing Tomlinson's waiver on Tuesday. The decision to part ways with Tomlinson, now 33, has drawn mixed reactions from fans, with some expressing relief on social media after his struggles this season.

Meanwhile, the San Francisco 49ers have emerged as a potential suitor for Tomlinson, given their recent injuries along the offensive line. Niners Nation noted that the 49ers are in need of depth following a season-ending injury to left guard Ben Bartch during their Week 13 game.

There’s speculation that if Tomlinson clears waivers, the 49ers might consider bringing him back into the fold, especially since he has familiarity with their offense from his previous tenure with the team.

Niner Noise pointed out that while Tomlinson may not be the same impactful player he was during his Pro Bowl season in 2021, he could provide low-risk depth and experience to the 49ers' offensive line as they head into the critical stretch of the season.

Tomlinson's performance metrics this season have been concerning, with a blown block rate of 4.1 percent in pass protection and a 6.6 percent in run blocking, ranking among the lower tiers of NFL offensive linemen according to analysis from Sports Info Solutions.

As the Texans continue their playoff push, this roster move signifies a strategic shift aimed at optimizing their lineup for success in the coming weeks. With Juice Scruggs and Jarrett Kingston remaining on the depth chart behind Patterson, the Texans are focused on finding the right combination to solidify their offensive line amidst these changes.