The Facts: Hawkins, a five-year NFL veteran, is expected to work out for the 49ers this week, a source told CSNBayArea.com on Thursday.

Diehards Line: The New England Patriots released Hawkins on Wednesday. Because he is a vested veteran, Hawkins was not subject to the waiver system. The Patriots signed Hawkins in May. He played his first five NFL seasons with the Titans after the club selected him in the fourth round in 2008 draft. The 49ers have also had free agent wide receivers Laurent Robinson and Austin Collie in for workouts. Remember; the 49ers are thin at the wide receiver position. Michael Crabtree (Achilles) and Mario Manningham (knee) are on the physically-unable-to-perform list. Kyle Williams, A.J. Jenkins and Kassim Osgood have missed multiple practices with hamstring strains.