Matthew Barrows - Sac Bee Staff Writer
The 49ers on Tuesday parted with punt returner Brandon Williams and welcomed Michael Lewis, the New Orleans Saints' career return leader in punts and kickoffs. Lewis, 35, is familiar to 49ers special-teams coach Al Everest, who coached the Saints' special teams from 2000 to 2005. During Everest's first year in New Orleans, the Saints signed Lewis, a former beer delivery man and Arena Football League player, to the practice squad. The Saints cut Lewis, a New Orleans native, in June.
"Michael Lewis is an exceptional returner who has experience and has been to a Pro Bowl," Everest said in a statement. "We are picking up a player who has been there and knows what it is supposed to look like." Williams (above) fumbled a punt Sept. 16 at St. Louis and had not shown the kind of burst on returns the 49ers had wanted. It is not known whether Lewis (left, Pro Bowl) will handle both punt and kick returns. The 49ers also signed linebacker Tyson Smith, who played in three games last year for the New York Giants, to the practice squad.
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