Davis, 25, announces retirement from 49ers
First-round pick from 2010 suffered concussion last season
The early retirements keep coming for the San Francisco 49ers. The latest is offensive tackle Anthony Davis, who is leaving the game at age 25.
The 49ers announced Davis’ departure from the NFL on Friday. Davis started all 71 regular-season games and eight postseason games in which he played since he was the No. 11 overall selection in the 2010 Draft. But last year, Davis missed nine games because of injuries and suffered a late-season concussion.
“After a few years of thought, I’ve decided it will be best for me to take a year or so away from the NFL. This will be a time for me to allow my brain and body a chance to heal,” Davis said. “I know many won’t understand my decision; that’s OK. I hope you, too, have the courage to live your life how you planned it when daydreaming to yourself growing up. Your life is your dream, and you have the power to control that dream. I’m simply doing what’s best for my body as well as my mental health at this time in my life.”
Davis joins former San Francisco teammates Chris Borland, Patrick Willis and Justin Smith in retirement.
■ LIONS — Detroit, after losing Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley to free agency, reportedly is talking to defensive tackle C.J. Mosley about returning to the team.
The 31-year-old Mosley played 31 games for the Lions over the past two seasons. He was the team’s starter in the second half of last season and the playoffs after Fairley was lost to a knee injury.
Mosley had 26 tackles, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble for the Lions last year, his 10th season in the NFL. He was suspended for two weeks last season after marijuana was found in his room during the team’s trip to London for a game.
The Lions are left with only one of the three defensive linemen they drafted in the first round since 2010 — defensive end Ezekiel Ansah.
■ BUCCANEERS — Tampa Bay right tackle Demar Dotson has been absent from organized team activities this week because he wants a new contract.
Dotson, 29, chose not to attend the voluntary workouts until he and the team can agree on a new contract, the Tampa Bay Times reported. The sides have been engaged in negotiations but have yet to settle on a deal.
The 6-foot-9-inch, 315-pound Dotson
NFL NOtES has started 47 of the past 48 games for the Bucs over the past three seasons.
Dotson is playing under a three-year, $4.5 million extension he signed in 2013. He is signed through 2016 and due to make $2.5 million this year and $1.75 million next year, though that number could rise by $1 million if he achieves escalators in his contract.
■ DOLPHINS — Miami wide receiver DeVante Parker underwent successful foot surgery.
Parker, a first-round pick, had surgery at Doctors Hospital at Baptist Health South Florida in Coral Gables, the team announced. The surgery reportedly was performed to replace the screw inserted in his foot last year.
Parker, who had foot issues in college and missed seven games last year at Louisville, has been impressive in Miami’s rookie camp and OTAs.
Parker will not participate in minicamp and will miss the start of training camp but will be ready for the regular season, according to the Miami Herald.
■ JAGUARS — Jacksonville safety James Sample underwent surgery for a broken right arm. Sample was injured during Thursday’s OTAs.
The 6-2, 191-pound Sample, selected in the fourth round out of Louisville, is expected to return at some point during training camp. He led Louisville with 90 tackles last season, adding four interceptions and eight pass breakups.
Sample played strong safety at Louisville, but the Jaguars are moving him to free safety.
■ GAME OFFICIALS — The NFL roster of game officials for the 2015 season will include one new referee and 10 first-year officials among the group of 122.
Veteran NFL official John Hussey has been promoted to referee to replace Bill Leavy, who will join the NFL officiating staff as a supervisor. Hussey has spent the past 13 seasons as a line judge and has officiated in nine playoff games, including Super Bowl XLV.
The 10 first-year NFL officials will be on the field at organized team activity sessions this month.
Among them is Sarah Thomas, the league’s first full-time female official. Other first-year officials include Kevin Codey, Walt Coleman IV, Hugo Cruz, Bart Longson, Clay Martin, Aaron Santi, Shawn Smith and Jabir Walker.