With the season drawing to a close, even teams in the playoff hunt are thinking about the future.
According to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee, the Dolphins are poaching safety Michael Thomas off the 49ers practice squad.
The 49ers had given Thomas a raise over the practice squad minimum recently, but couldn’t offer a spot on a 53-man roster, which the Dolphins did.
Thomas, who can also play nickel cornerback, played at Stanford under 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
It might be a move of short-term expedience for Thomas, as the 49ers could need depth there. Donte Whitner’s a free agent after the season, and Eric Reid has suffered a pair of concussions already. Otherwise, their safeties are primarily special teamers,
The 49ers have been able to talk practice squaders out of leaving before, hanging onto players such as guard Al Netter.