Santa Clara, CA -- (Sports Network) - The San Francisco 49ers signed return specialist Michael Lewis on Tuesday.

Lewis had spent the previous six seasons with the New Orleans Saints before the team released him this past June.

During his six seasons in New Orleans, he returned 243 kickoffs for a 24.3- yard average with three touchdowns. In addition, he had 142 punt returns for a 10.4-yard average with one touchdown and 28 receptions for 553 yards and a score.

He made it to the Pro Bowl in 2002 after setting a team single-season record for kickoff return yards (11,807) and punt return yards (625). His 2,432 combined yards that season set a team record.

Also on Tuesday, the team waived wide receiver/punt returner Brandon Williams and signed linebacker Tyson Smith to the practice squad.