The San Francisco 49ers announced on Wednesday that they have signed OL JP Flynn to a two-year deal. The team has also signed DL Will Sutton and DL Cedric Thornton to one-year deals. In order to make room on the roster, the team waived DB Don Jones, OL Jamar McGloster and DL Blaine Woodson.
Flynn (6-5, 320) originally signed with the 49ers as an undrafted free agent on May 4, 2017. He was waived by San Francisco on September 2, 2017 and signed to the team's practice squad the following day. Flynn was placed on the Practice Squad Injured Reserve List on November 13, 2017 where he spent the remainder of the season.
A 24-year-old native of Knoxville, TN, Flynn spent five years at Montana State and finished his career by starting 43 consecutive games. He earned First-Team All-Big Sky honors in 2016 after starting all 11 games as a senior. In 2015, he started all 11 games at left guard. In 2014, he started all 13 games at left guard and earned First-Team All-Big Sky honors and was named Third-Team All-Big Sky in 2013 after starting the final eight games of the season. He also redshirted as a true freshman in 2012.
Sutton (6-1, 290) was originally drafted by the Chicago Bears in the third round (82nd overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft. In three seasons with the Bears (2014-16), he appeared in 36 games (18 starts) and registered 82 tackles and seven passes defensed. Following his release from the Bears on May 11, 2017, he signed with the Minnesota Vikings on May 17, 2017 and was later released on September 2, 2017.
A 26-year-old native of Corona, CA, Sutton attended Arizona State University where he appeared in 51 games (34 starts) and registered 161 tackles, 45.5 tackles for loss and 20.5 sacks.
Thornton (6-4, 290) originally signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent on July 26, 2011. Throughout his seven NFL seasons with the Eagles (2011-15), Dallas Cowboys (2016) and Buffalo Bills (2017), he has appeared in 89 games (48 starts) and registered 278 tackles, 7.5 sacks, six passes defensed, four fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles. He has also appeared in three career postseason contests (one start) and added six tackles. After spending training camp with the Cowboys in 2017, he was released from the team on September 3, 2017. He then signed with the Bills where he appeared in 15 regular season games (three starts) finishing the season with 27 tackles and two sacks. He also appeared in Buffalo's one postseason game.
A 30-year-old native of Star City, AR, Thornton attended Southern Arkansas University where he registered 133 tackles, 36 tackles for loss, 10.0 sacks and three forced fumbles.
Jones (5-11, 195) originally signed with the 49ers on March 10, 2017. He was placed on the Injured Reserve List on September 2, 2017, where he spent the entire season. A five-year veteran, he has played in 56 games and registered 37 special teams tackles and one forced fumble on special teams. In 2016, he played in nine games for the Houston Texans and tied for the team lead with 11 special teams tackles. McGloster (6-7, 309) and Woodson (6-2, 280) each signed with the team as undrafted rookie free agents this past offseason.
