The San Francisco 49ers have terminated the contract of edge rusher Xavier Thomas, waiving him with an injury designation. The move cleared a roster spot for the team to re-sign tight end Khalil Dinkins to a three-year deal.
Thomas, 26, had signed a one-year contract with the 49ers just 10 days earlier, on August 12. The 6-foot-2, 250-pound defensive lineman was brought in to provide depth along the edge amid injuries on the defensive line.
A former fifth-round pick (138th overall) by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2024 NFL Draft out of Clemson, Thomas spent two seasons with the Cardinals before brief stints elsewhere.
In his NFL career, primarily with Arizona in 2024-25, Thomas appeared in 18 games and recorded 10 tackles, 2.5 sacks, one pass deflection, and one forced fumble.
After being waived by the Cardinals in late 2025, he spent time on the Houston Texans’ practice squad and later signed a reserve/futures deal, only to be waived with an injury designation earlier in 2026.
His college career at Clemson spanned six seasons (2018-23), where he contributed as a productive pass rusher and earned third-team All-ACC honors twice.
The waived/injured designation means Thomas can be claimed by another team during the waiver period. If he clears waivers, he reverts to the 49ers’ injured reserve list, where the team could keep him or pursue an injury settlement that would free him to sign elsewhere. The nature of the injury remains undisclosed.
This roster move reflects the typical late-training-camp churn as teams finalize their 53-man rosters ahead of the regular season.
The 49ers continue evaluating depth, particularly at tight end with Dinkins’ return and along a defensive line dealing with various ailments.
For Thomas, the short-lived opportunity in San Francisco marks another chapter in a career defined by resilience and the search for a stable role as a rotational edge defender.
At 26, Thomas retains youth and experience that could appeal to other clubs seeking pass-rush depth. Whether he lands with a new team via claim or settlement, or remains tied to the 49ers’ IR, his next steps will determine if he can build on his early NFL production.
The 49ers, meanwhile, shift focus to their remaining preseason preparations and final cuts.
