The 49ers came to camp with a bunch of tight ends and the Redskins have been running out of them, so Friday’s reported trade of Derek Carrier to the Redskins makes sense.
According to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee, the Redskins are giving up a conditional fifth-round pick for Carrier. Conditions in such trades are generally based on playing time, and with the Redskins Carrier should become an immediate contributor.
The Redskins lost Logan Paulsen and Niles Paul to season-ending injuries last week, and Jordan Reed has an injury history and has been held out of both preseason games. The 49ers brought eight tight ends to camp; earlier this week, they traded Asante Cleveland to the Patriots.
Carrier signed a two-year, $3.3 million deal with the 49ers last March. The Redskins have a long week ahead -- they played Thursday night against the Lions and don’t play another preseason game until Aug. 29 -- so Carrier will have a chance to catch on and possibly contribute as soon as next weekend.