SANTA CLARA — Chris Jones, a defensive tackle who shined amid the 49ers’ gloomy 2016 season, is getting another shot with the club.

Jones on Wednesday filled the roster spot created by the surprise retirement of defensive tackle Cedric Thornton, who joined the 49ers as training camp opened July 25 after seven previous seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys and Buffalo Bills.

It’s ironic Jones rejoins the 49ers just as they’re preparing for Saturday’s exhibition at Indianapolis. Prior to their call Tuesday, Jones was helping coach the Brownsburg High School football team some 30 minutes outside of Indianapolis. He practiced Wednesday in Thornton’s former No. 63 jersey, and come Thursday, Jones will be flying back to Indy with the 49ers after practice. “It’ll be fun,” Jones said.

Jones spent last season on the 49ers’ injured reserve list because of hip surgery. He had a brief stint with the New York Jets in June, and upon his return to the 49ers locker room Wednesday, he said: “It feels like I never left.”

Asked if coaching might be in his future once he retires from the NFL, Jones, 28, said: “Absolutely. I know what football has done for me and I’d love to help it affect kids in a positive way.”

Jones is primarily an interior linemen, and the 49ers seem stacked with those, including Earl Mitchell, Solomon Thomas, Sheldon Day and D.J. Jones.

The 49ers claimed Jones off waivers from the Miami Dolphins in November 2016, and he produced 21 tackles (four for loss) while starting the final six games. He had nine sacks his first two seasons with the New England Patriots before missing the 2015 season (calf injury).

Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said Thornton, 30, made his decision Tuesday, adding: “Great man, worked his tail off. Sometimes a vet gets to he point they don’t want to do it anymore. He was thinking about a lot of people and I have a lot of respect for that man.”