Patriots acquire TE Cleveland from 49ers for OL help

The Patriots have been dealing with tight end injuries in camp. Cleveland, who’s 6-foot-5 and 260 pounds, went undrafted out of Miami last offseason and played in six games for the 49ers last year, although he didn’t catch a pass.

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is helped to his feet by teammate Jordan Devey after he was sacked in the fourth quarter during their team’s 33-20 loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 1 of the 2014 regular season. He eventually worked his way onto the 53-man roster and seemed like one of the players working his way into the offensive line rotation heading into 2014.

Devey, 27, played guard and tackle at Memphis and was on the practice squad of the Ravens and Patriots the past two seasons. Behind them, Michael Hoomanawanui returns as a tenured veteran while Jake Bequette continues his efforts to transition from defensive end to tight end. Per Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com, the 49ers have traded tight end Asante Cleveland to the Patriots.

The 49ers still have a stockpile at tight end behind starter Vernon Davis with Derek Carrier, Vance McDonald, Blake Bell, Garrett Celek, Xavier Grimble and seventh-round draft pick Busta Anderson. The only other tight end on the Redskins roster with any real NFL experience, Jordan Reed, has been limited in camp and has a lengthy injury history. Last year, Bill Belichick made the shocking move to deal guard Logan Mankins to the Tampa Buccaneers in exchange for Tim Wright and a draft pick.