49ers LB Borland retiring

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Chris Borland told ESPN’s Outside the Lines on Monday that he is retiring following his standout rookie season because of concerns about head trauma. Borland, 24, had a team-leading 108 tackles in his stellar rookie season, emerging as a punishing defender. He also had a sack and two interceptions. He told Outside the Lines on Monday he wants to do “what’s best for my health.” This is yet another blow to the team that lost coach Jim Harbaugh after the season, then watched Frank Gore, Mike Iupati, Chris Culliver and Perrish Cox depart in free agency this past week. Borland’s big announcement comes less than a week after five-time All Pro linebacker Patrick Willis retired.

Longtime New England nose tackle Vince Wilfork has signed with the Houston Texans. Wilfork, 33, announced the decision on Twitter on Monday, then the Texans confirmed the signing. He has spent his entire 11-year career with the Patriots. Now he’ll join a Houston unit led by Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt and that features last year’s No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney, who was injured for most of 2014. Wilfork, 6-2, 325 pounds, started all 16 games for the Patriots last year and had 53 tackles, two for a losses, and an interception, according to the Texans. He was a locker room leader in New England, as well. Houston also signed wide receiver Cecil Shorts III, who was with Jacksonville. He led the Jaguars with 53 catches last season for 577 yards. A four-year veteran has been Jacksonville’s leading receiver over that span. The Texans release longtime star receiver Andre Johnson, who signed with Indianapolis.