49ers trade TE Carrier to Redskins

The Washington Redskins were in dire need for a tight end after they lost two of their three starters following the first week of the exhibition season.

On Friday, they received Derek Carrier from the 49ers in exchange for a fifth-round pick in next year's NFL Draft, according to reports.

They could certainly use him.

Niles Paul left the Redskins' game at Cleveland last Thursday with a dislocated ankle and Logan Paulsen will miss the regular season after a toe surgery he had last week. Jordan Reed remains their single remaining starter at the position. Reed is their most talented option, though is himself prone to injury, having strained his hamstring against the Browns.

Carrier, who had nine receptions for 105 yards last season, will emerge as the instant No. 2 option on the Redskins' starting roster.

Such trades are usually conditional upon playing time, though with the dearth of options Washington suddenly find themselves with, that option will likely be met.

Carrier inked a two-year, $3.3 million deal with the 49ers last March, and he'll have a long week to situate himself with his new team. The Redskins won't take the field again until they visit Baltimore on Aug. 29, where he will be looked to early and often as a receiving and blocking option for a team that could use it.

49ers' Aldon Smith arrested on third DUI

When Jim Tomsula took the job as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers this offseason, he probably thought he would have a chance to build on the good fortune the club has had the last few years.

Then came the exodus.

Five free agency departures, three unexpected retirements, and the disappearance of their former head coach has left the Niners looking dazed and confused. Then, on Friday, they got some more bad news.

Aldon Smith, their talented but troubled pass rusher, was arrested by Santa Clara police on charges of DUI, hit and run, and vandalism. It's the third time Smith has been arrested since 2012.

The 49ers have been patient with Smith during his many troubles over the years, but one wonders of that patience has run out. Smith clearly has an issue with alcohol, a condition that should be created as a medical concern and not a deficit in character. It's not the first time someone with a possible alcohol addiction has tested the patience of those around them.

Smith missed five games in 2013 during a stay in rehab for alcohol and sat nine more games after a suspension and other off-field troubles the following season. Should the charges stick this time, he will likely be suspended again and his time with the 49ers is most likely over.

49ers: LB Borland retires, fears brain injury

SANTA CLARA, Ca. - 49ers linebacker Chris Borland, 24, announced on Monday that he will retire from the NFL out of concern for long-term injuries from repetitive head trauma.

It is an announcement that will likely do little or no good to a league that has extended itself greatly to limit this very concern.

A promising rookie last season, Borland recorded 107 tackles and two interceptions with the 49ers, though underwent a serious change of heart for his future after personal discussions with members of his family, friends, and current and former teammates.

He also researched the effects of long-term neurodegenerative disease and consulted with concussion specialists and researchers on his own.

What he heard from them must have been enough.

"I just honestly want to do what's best for my health," Borland told Outside the Lines. "From what I've researched and what I've experienced, I don't think it's worth the risk."

The decision had not come lightly, nor suddenly, as Borland said he had considered such a move as early as last season's training camp as his research was ongoing. He experienced what he thought was a concussion during a run play in practice, but played through to make the team.

The concern, though, stayed with him and began to progress.

"I just thought to myself, 'What am I doing? Is this how I'm going to live my adult life, banging my head, especially with what I've learned and know about the dangers?'"

He would write a letter to his family after a preseason game with Houston, describing to them how he thought his career would be brief out of concern for his long-term brain health.

"I feel largely the same, as sharp as I've ever been," Borland said of his current state. "For me, it's wanting to be proactive. I'm concerned that if you wait 'til you have symptoms, it's too late. . . There are a lot of unknowns. I can't claim that X will happen. I just want to live a long, healthy life, and I don't want to have any neurological diseases or die younger than I would otherwise."

The 49ers confirmed Borland's retirement in a statement released by general manager Trent Baalke.

"While unexpected, we certainly respect Chris' decision," he said. "From speaking with Chris, it was evident that he had put a great deal of thought into this decision. He was a consummate professional from day one and a very well-respected member of our team and community. Chris is a determined young man that overcame long odds in his journey to the NFL, and we are confident he will use the same approach to become very successful in his future endeavors. We will always consider him a 49er and wish him all the best."

Borland is the most prominent player to yet retire from the league because of head-injury fears. More than 70 former players have been given postmortem diagnoses of progressive neurological problems in recent years. Some have committed suicide from the onset despair resulting of this brain damage, and many studies have confirmed a connection between head trauma of the kind in football and diseases like general and major depression and memory loss.

The NFL, per senior vice-president of health and safety Jeff Miller, released a statement in support of Borland's decision, and their own efforts to curb major head injuries in the national game.

"Playing any sport is a personal decision. By any measure, football has never been safer and we continue to make progress with rule changes, safer tackling techniques at all levels of football, and better equipment, protocols, and medical care for players," Miller said. 

"Concussions in NFL games were down 25 percent last year, continuing a three-year downward trend. We continue to make significant investments in independent research to advance the science and understanding of these issues. We are seeing a growing culture of safety."

A culture in which Chris Borland sees room for improvement.

Ricky-Jean Francois to visit Redskins, 49ers

After being released from the Colts on Monday, defensive end Ricky-Jean Francois will visit with the Washington Redskins and San Francisco 49ers, according to NFL.com.

The Redskins are planning a series of changes along their defensive front after the arrival of new defensive coordinator Joe Barry. Last season found Washington rank 24th in defending the pass and 12th against the rush. Barry replaced Jim Haslett after spending three years as linebackers coach with the Chargers.

Should Francois land in the nation's capitol, he would be reuninted with Scot McCloughan, nowadays the Redskins general manager, though was with the 49ers in 2009, when the team drafted Francois in the 7th round.

New Niners coach Jim Tomsula also worked with the lineman for four seasons when the two were with the franchise, which is looking for new blood on the line with veteran Justin Smith still considering his future.

49ers release McDonald

SANTA CLARA, Ca. - Defensive tackle Ray McDonald has been released by the 49ers on Wednesday after the San Jose Police Department announced an investigation into his possible involvement an alleged sexual assault.

They served a search warrant at McDonald's home on Tuesday in connection with their investigation.

"We as an organization have notified [McDonald] and his agent that we have terminated his contract," 49ers general manager Trent Baalke said in a statement Wednesday. 

"Ray has demonstrated a pattern of poor decision-making that is no longer going to be tolerated." 

Baalke, head coach Jim Harbaugh, and chief executive Jed York were involved in the decision.

No charges have been filed against McDonald and he has not been arrested.

An adult woman received treatment at an area hospital on Tuesday, citing a "possible sexual assault." The hospital contacted the police thereafter.

"The victim alleged she was possibly sexually assaulted a day prior," San Jose Police sergeant Heather Randol said. "Based on preliminary investigation, detectives secured a search warrant and served it at the alleged suspect's residence in San Jose."

"This is about a pattern of poor behavior," Baalke said Wednesday.

McDonald was arrested Aug. 31 on charges of domestic violence, though those charges were dropped Nov. 10 following insufficient evidence. He played for the team during that time, amidst criticism from the public.