Pierre Thomas

When the San Francisco 49ers went on a quick shopping spree for running backs two weeks ago, Pierre Thomas seemed the most likely to stick should Carlos Hyde’s left foot not cooperate.

But two days after carrying the ball four times for 12 yards in the Niners’ 17-16 victory over the Atlanta Falcons and five days after signing with the team, the 30-year-old Thomas was cut.

And the Niners signed relatively unheralded Travaris Cadet, 26.

“Well, they’re different backs,” Tomsula said. “Cadet’s shiftier. It’s just the style of play, kind of having a one-two type of thing. We’ve got some bigger guys and we’ve got some guys that, he just brought an element that I like.”

Cadet also brings another dimension as a potential kick returner. He averaged 25.9 yards on 50 returns for the Saints from 2012 through 2014.