San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch announced on Saturday that the team has signed veteran running back Tim Hightower.
In the grand scheme of things this might not be terribly huge news. Though, it clearly does fit with the 49ers’ pattern of adding veteran talent to what has to be described as one of the most talent-stricken offenses in the NFL.
Hightower, 30, put up 748 total yards and five touchdowns in a part-time role for the New Orleans Saints last season. He also averaged a solid 4.8 yards per touch.
He joins a running back group that includes starter Carlos Hyde, former mid-round pick Mike Davis and the recently re-signed DuJuan Harris.
This doesn’t necessarily preclude the 49ers from selecting a running back early in this month’s NFL draft. But it is a solid move, especially considering Hightower fits Kyle Shanahan’s scheme to a T.