Anthony Davis On Weekend Absence
49ers offensive lineman Anthony Davis wasn’t willing to speak at length Wednesday about last weekend’s retirement rumors, offering that his absence came down to “miscommunication” (via Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com). “Just leave it and let it fester,” said Davis, who was a backup for the 49ers’ 28-0 win over the Rams on Monday. That was Davis’ first game since 2014, as the 26-year-old took a hiatus from football last season. It was also the only appearanced he hasn’t started in since the 49ers chose him in the first round of the 2010 draft. Davis had logged 71 consecutive starts entering Week 1.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/14/16
Here are Wednesday’s practice squad moves from around the NFL:
Chicago Bears
- Signed: DL Jimmy Staten (Twitter link via Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com)
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: WR Josh Boyce (Twitter link via Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal)
New England Patriots
- Signed: WR DeAndrew White (Twitter link via Doug Kyed of NESN)
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: DE Jimmy Bean (Twitter link via Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com)
- Cut: LB Curtis Grant
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: WR Chris Harper (Twitter link via Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: DT Rodney Coe (Twitter link via Roy Cummings of WFLA)
Washington Redskins
- Signed: C Austin Reiter (Twitter link via Mike Jones of the Washington Post)
49ers’ Brass Divided On Colin Kaepernick
There’s discord between 49ers general manager Trent Baalke and head coach Chip Kelly regarding the future of quarterback Colin Kaepernick, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link). Baalke wants to get rid of Kaepernick, while Kelly would like to keep the 28-year-old and help him develop into a quality option again.
Kelly drew career-best performances from signal-callers Nick Foles, Sam Bradford and Mark Sanchez during his tenure as Philadelphia’s head coach from 2013-15. Along the way, however, Kelly was unable to coexist with the Eagles’ top executive, Howie Roseman, so his disagreement with Baalke over the 49ers’ most famous player is particularly notable.
Kaepernick, who’s making a guaranteed $11.9MM this year as part of a deal that runs through 2020, nearly exited San Francisco during the offseason. However, the Baalke-led 49ers and the team most interested in Kaepernick – the Broncos – weren’t able to agree to a trade. That left Kaepernick to compete with Blaine Gabbert for the 49ers’ starting job, but the latter won the role over the summer.
The majority of recent Kaepernick-related headlines haven’t focused on his status as the 49ers’ backup, though; instead, the decision he made during the preseason to no longer stand for the pregame national anthem has generated plenty of discussion, both in support of and in opposition to Kaepernick, and has led other NFLers to follow his lead. Kaepernick, who’s protesting against racial inequality in America, has drawn ire from other teams’ front office executives because of his choice, which could affect his value.
“I don’t want him anywhere near my team,” one front office executive told Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report last month. “He’s a traitor.”
That was a common sentiment among execs Freeman spoke to, as one estimated that upward of 90 percent of colleagues feel similarly.
On the field, Kaepernick has struggled over the past couple seasons after bursting on the scene as a second-year player in 2012. That season, the 2011 second-round pick from Nevada took over the 49ers’ starting QB job from Alex Smith late in the campaign and helped lead the club to a Super Bowl berth. In 2013, his first full year as a starter, the dual threat impressed again en route to a 12-win season that ended with a 23-20 defeat to the eventual Super Bowl champion Seahawks in the NFC title game.
Kaepernick has fallen off since since his halycon days, but given Gabbert’s own lack of NFL success – not to mention his propensity to run, which could lead to injuries – it’s possible the former could once again take the reins as the 49ers’ starter this season. Kaepernick got into the 49ers’ 28-0 win over the Rams on Monday, misfiring on one fourth-quarter pass.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
49ers Work Out Aaron Dobson
Aaron Dobson has been a busy man since being released by the Patriots in early September. After having worked out for the Jets and Eagles, the 25-year-old’s most recent stop was San Francisco. According to Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com, the 49ers brought Dobson in for a workout on Tuesday. The reporter notes that a signing is not believed to be “imminent.”
The former second-rounder disappointed during his three seasons in New England. The Marshall product showed some flashes during his rookie campaign, compiling 37 receptions for 519 yards and four touchdowns. Since then, Dobson has only hauled in 16 catches for 179 yards in 12 games (over two seasons). The 25-year-old has battled a number of injuries throughout his career, including a hamstring and a high ankle sprain.
The 49ers offense looked good during their season-opening win over the Rams, but the team still lacks depth at receiver. The team waived wideout Chris Harper today, leaving only five receivers on the roster: Torrey Smith, Quinton Patton, Jeremy Kerley, Rod Streater and Aaron Burbridge.
49ers Re-Sign DuJuan Harris, Cut Chris Harper
In something of a reversal of Sunday’s transaction, the 49ers are cutting wide receiver Chris Harper and re-signing running back DuJuan Harris, as Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle tweets. Harris was dropped on Monday to make room for Harper’s promotion from the practice squad.
Harris has been yo-yo’d on and off the 49ers’ roster throughout the last couple of weeks. The running back was cut prior to the 53-man deadline only to be re-signed days later. Then, prior to the Niners’ Monday night contest against the Rams, he was dropped again. He’s back on the roster – for now. Harris, 28, split the 2015 season between the 49ers and the Seahawks.
Harper, 22, bounced on-and-off the Patriots’ 53-man roster during his rookie campaign in 2015, and ultimately appeared in five games with the club. Harper could revert to SF’s practice squad if he clears waivers. He did not see a pass thrown his way last night.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
49ers Promote WR Chris Harper
The 49ers have promoted wide receiver Chris Harper from their practice squad in advance of tonight’s game against the Rams, according to Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group (Twitter link). To create a roster spot, San Francisco has cut running back DuJuan Harris.
[RELATED: San Francisco 49ers Depth Chart]
Harper, 22, bounced on-and-off the Patriots’ 53-man roster during his rookie campaign in 2015, and ultimately appeared in five games with the club, posting three receptions for 17 yards. Waived during final cutdowns, Harper caught on with the Niners’ taxi squad but is now getting a shot during the team’s opener. If he’s active tonight, Harper will serve as a backup wide receiver and special teams option.
Harris, meanwhile, was also affected by roster cutdowns, as he was initially released before re-signing with San Francisco a week ago today. The 28-year-old Harris split the 2015 season between the 49ers and the Seahawks, compiling 189 yards on 48 carries. In his four-year career, Harris has averaged 4.2 yards per attempt, and he’ll now head back to the free agent market in search of another job.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Anthony Davis Returns To 49ers
Offensive lineman Anthony Davis returned to 49ers practice this morning, according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle, and will likely be available for the team’s Monday night contest against the Rams. Davis was reportedly considering retirement (again) yesterday, but this news would seem to end any talk of Davis hanging it up.
[RELATED: Keshawn Martin Visits 49ers]
Davis, a career right tackle, was expected to move to guard following his reinstatement to the NFL. That doesn’t appear to be the plan any more, according to Niners Nation, which reports that Andrew Tiller will start at right guard, while Davis will serve only as the San Francisco’s backup offensive tackle. Reports yesterday indicated that Davis had some reservations about moving inside, which is a different outlook than he expressed earlier this summer.
“I can play anywhere on the line,” said Davis in August. “Like I was saying, we want the best five on the field, and Trent is not going to play guard. He’s a giant man and I knew I could adapt to guard. I feel like that would help us.”
Davis, 26, was the 49ers’ first-round pick in 2010, coming off the board No. 11 overall. Prior to his retirement, he started 71 games at right tackle for SF, playing all 16 regular season contests in his first four years before being limited to seven games in 2014. Davis dealt with hamstring and knee issues, and also battled concussion problems, which may have contributed to his decision to step away from the game temporarily in 2015.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Anthony Davis Expected To Remain With 49ers
SUNDAY, 8:19am: After meeting with team officials yesterday afternoon, Davis is expected to remain with the club, according to Eric Branch of The San Francisco Chronicle. Whether or not he will play against the Rams on Monday night, however, remains to be seen.
SATURDAY, 6:35pm: The 49ers have remained in touch today, according to Maiocco, who reports that sources have indicated to him that Davis is “leaning” towards playing this year. Meanwhile, a 49ers source tells Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee that Davis’ status is “up in the air” given that he has “reservations” about moving to guard.
SATURDAY, 4:45pm: Davis, a source told Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole (Twitter link), does not intend to retire. Should he return to the team, the converted guard stands to make $1.225MM in base salary this season.
SATURDAY, 4:26pm: Anthony Davis did not attend 49ers practice on Saturday, and the team categorized the absence as not being related to injury. A 49ers spokesman said the veteran offensive lineman is with his family.
A source, however, informed Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News that the 26-year-old Davis might be retiring again. Agent Drew Rosenahus had no comment when reached by Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com.
While this absence could prove to be a temporary pause for the sixth-year lineman, Davis was slated to start at right guard for the 49ers in Week 1 against the Rams and obviously has a recent history that points to this kind of decision. A five-year starter at right tackle before his retirement in advance of the 2015 season, Davis dropped several hints during his sabbatical of a return to football before officially being reinstated in July.
Inman reports (on Twitter) 2015 starter first-rounder Andrew Tiller and not first-rounder Joshua Garnett would receive the first crack at starting at right guard if Davis is indeed retiring. The 49ers have listed Davis as questionable on their injury report.
The former No. 11 overall pick in 2010, Davis expressed a willingness to change positions after being unable to reclaim his former right tackle spot. Davis missed nine games in 2014 due to injury and called his retirement a break for his body and brain. He started in all 16 regular-season games in each of his first four seasons. He spent 2015 on the reserve/retired list.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
WR Keshawn Martin Visits 49ers
Free agent wide receiver Keshawn Martin met with the 49ers today, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Martin was released by the Patriots during final cutdowns last weekend.
[RELATED: 49ers, Tank Carradine Agree To Extension]
Martin, 25, was traded from the Texans to New England in September, and he ended up appearing in nine games (eight starts) for the Patriots, compiling 24 catches for 269 yards and two touchdowns. Over his four-year career, Martin has 62 receptions for 685 yards and five touchdowns. The former Michigan State Spartan agreed to an extension with the Patriots in January that included $600K guaranteed, so it was a tad surprising to see the club cut bait so soon.
San Francisco’s depth chart is extremely thin behind No. 1 wide receiver Torrey Smith, as Quinton Patton, Aaron Burbridge, and the recently-acquired Rod Streater are candidates to fill the second WR role. Jeremy Kerley, another recent trade acquisition, is expected to start in the slot, but Martin would offer another option to absorb snaps on the outside.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
49ers, Tank Carradine Agree To Extension
The 49ers and Tank Carradine have agreed to a one-year extension, as Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee writes. Originally slated to hit the open market after the 2016 season, Carradine will now be in SF through 2017. Financial terms are not yet known, but Carradine did receive a signing bonus of $1.25MM, according to Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com.
Carradine, 26, started out as a defensive lineman after being selected in the second round of the 2013 draft. Now, he’s going back to outside linebacker, the position he expected to play when he came out of FSU. As Aaron Lynch serves his four-game suspension, the Niners are banking on Carradine to form a rotation with Ahmad Brooks and Eli Harold.
After slimming down from 300+ pounds to 275, Carradine says he feels healthier and more energetic. Niners defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil says that he is transitioning well to the new position.
“He can set the edge,” O’Neil said. “He’s heavy handed. I would not want to block him if I was a tight end. He continues to show up as far as pass rush and he’s gotten better every rep that he’s gotten as far as pass coverage. So he’s done a nice job progressing at the position.”
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.