Former San Francisco 49ers right tackle Anthony Davis will apply for reinstatement in 2016, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Davis was one of multiple surprise retirements for the 49ers last offseason, though he stated not long after said retirement that he was taking a break and would return.
Former 49ers OT Anthony Davis to apply for reinstatement after 2015 retirement, per report
Davis would still be under contract with the 49ers if he plays in 2016.
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Throughout this offseason, 49ers general manager Trent Baalke has maintained that he has had no paperwork from Davis showing that he would return in 2016, but it sounds like that’s about to change. Davis was signed to a long-term contract with the 49ers before retiring, so upon reinstatement the 49ers would continue to hold his rights.
Davis signed a five-year, $33.2 million deal with the 49ers and was supposed to remain with the team through the 2019 season. He will continue to be with the team, presumably under his 2015 contract numbers of $1.85 million in base salary and a cap hit of $5.15 million. Davis’ deal came with $8.38 million guaranteed.
The 49ers selected Davis with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. He was a productive right tackle for the team before his abrupt departure last year. And that departure hurt the team big time, as they were forced to go with Erik Pears at the right tackle spot. Pears was not a great tackle and consistently gave up pressure and sacks, and with Jordan Devey next to him at right guard due to Alex Boone flipping to the left side, things got ugly real fast.
Colin Kaepernick was benched after having a miserable start to his season and while he deserves plenty of blame, the offensive line had to have played a big part in his struggles. Even when Blaine Gabbert took over, the offensive line played poorly. Whomever is under center for the 49ers in 2016 will certainly benefit if Davis has kept himself in shape and his reinstatement goes through without issue.
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