Brian Westbrook Signs With The 49ers

The abrupt retirement of 49ers running back Glen Coffee meant the team was going to be forced to acquire another back before the end of the preseason. It just so happens that a high-profile one has been available for some time.

The team announced Monday that former Eagles running back had signed a one-year contract to join the 49ers.

Brian Westbrook has been a free agent for nearly six months and he’s inching closer to picking a team.

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reports that Westbrook is expected to pick a team by Monday.

Free agent running back Brian Westbrook is reportedly deciding between the Rams and Redskins, according to reports.

He recently told Matt Terl of the Redskins official site that the Redskins are a “great fit” for him but it has to “make sense financially as well.”

If there was any doubt Clinton Portis would be the Redskins starting running back heading into the season, Kyle Shanahan ended the speculation confirming Portis’ role as the starter.

However, news on another aging running back is what we’ve been waiting. Redskins coach Mike Shanahan says there is no update on Brian Westbrook and possibly employment with the Redskins.

Free agent RB Brian Westbrook kicked off his free agency tour with a visit to St. Louis back in March. He didn’t have any movement for nearly two months before visiting the Redskins and the Broncos in the same week.

What likely happened is he got some good news regarding his medical status. He ended the 2009 season prematurely due to concussions.

Brian Westbrook has now made two visits as a free agent. One to St. Louis to meet with the Rams and another to Washington to talk to the Redskins.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, we can soon make that three teams interested in Westbrook.

Free agent running back Brian Westbrook may have a new suitor: the Washington Redskins. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Westbrook has scheduled a visit with the team for Wednesday, in a curious move to say the least.

While Washington would meet Westbrook’s criteria of playing for a non-dome team (out of consideration for his health), the Redskins already boast a glut of veteran (read: over the hill) running backs, from Clinton Portis to Larry Johnson and Willie Parker. New Skins head coach Mike Shanahan has been notorious for mixing and matching running backs, so it’s possible Westbrook could find a niche as a third-down type back to limit the wear and tear on his fragile body, but still, it’d be a puzzling move for both sides.

The Eagles have confirmed they intend to release RB Brian Westbrook at the onset of free agency on March 5th. With other veterans with health issues already on the market, Westbrook’s road back may have just gotten a little tougher.

According to a report, Westbrook needs to “play and practice” on grass, not turf because of knee injuries sustained over the years.

But regardless, the point remains the same: Brian Westbrook won’t be playing for the Eagles next season.

Brian Westbrook started out his Eagles career as an underdog and an afterthought, so it’s no surprise that as he evolved into one of the best running backs in football, the Phlly fans that supported him felt personally invested in his success. For a while there, he was their little secret. The 5’8, 180-pound running back that was quietly the team’s most valuable player on offense. How can you not love a player like that?

Over at SB Nation’s Eagles blog, Bleeding Green Nation, the instant reaction is sad but unsurprised, as the Eagles prepare to usher in a new era of stars:

Brian Westbrook will not be playing for the Eagles next season after the team decided to release the oft-injured running back on Tuesday.

Westbrook is 31 years-old and was due over $7 million by the Eagles had they kept him on the roster for next season, two factors that were clearly working against him sticking around in Philly.

Eagles RB Brian Westbrook, who was reportedly considering retirement following the conclusion of the 2009 season, told HDNet’s Dan Rather (via Sheil Kapadia of the Philadelphia Inquirer) that he will be returning to the field in 2010.

“I’m a hundred percent sure that I wouldn’t hang it up before [starting offseason training] unless something crazy happens,” Westbrook said. “My goal is to get back out there and play football again.”

Brian Westbook is seriously considering retiring due to a nagging knee injury, according to WIP radio’s Howard Eskin. Westbrook will reportedly meet with team doctors in the coming weeks to discuss his options for the future.

Earlier in the season, rumors swirled that the oft-injured running back was considering retirement, but those were attributed to his concussions, two of which he suffered this season. Eskin reports that it’s the left knee that is hampering Westbrook, which was surgically repaired in the past.