SAN FRANCISCO — Cornerback Eric Wright failed his physical with the San Francisco 49ers, nullifying a trade to bring him to Northern California from Tampa Bay.
He was subsequently released by the Buccaneers.
San Francisco coach Jim Harbaugh declined to say specifically what portion of the physical Wright failed and made just a brief statement on the situation.
“We don’t ever talk about that,” Harbaugh said Monday. “The information is he didn’t pass his physical, he’s not on the team.”
Thus ends a quirky four-day stretch that began after the 49ers appeared to have acquired the former second-round draft pick from Tampa Bay on Friday in exchange for a conditional draft pick in 2014.
Shortly thereafter, reports surfaced that Wright had been arrested a week earlier in Los Angeles on an unspecified misdemeanor charge. It’s unclear if the 49ers were aware of Wright’s situation when they made the trade.
Wright was arrested in 2012 on felony DUI charges and was suspended for four games last season by the NFL for violating the performance-enhancing drug policy in his first season with the Bucs. Wright signed a five-year, $35.3 million contract with the Bucs prior to the 2012 season.
The move to trade for Wright immediately raised eyebrows after Harbaugh’s comments during the team’s June minicamp when he made it clear he wouldn’t accept players breaking the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs for a perceived edge.
Even though Wright was never officially on the 49ers roster, Harbaugh emphasized his message is still the same.
“That hasn’t changed,” he said. “I think our guys do a good job of playing within the rules.”
Harbaugh avoided questions about 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks‘ legal issues. Brooks allegedly hit teammate Lamar Divens in the head with a bottle multiple times during an altercation on June 8 but avoided prosecution when the Santa Clara district attorney’s office declined to file charges because of insufficient evidence.
Brooks has met with team officials regarding the incident but Harbaugh declined to say what, if any, discipline the veteran linebacker will face.
“Had conversations (with him) but not that we’re going to talk about out here,” Harbaugh said. “I’m not publicly discussing what our conversations have been with Ahmad or any of our players.”
The 49ers held the third day of training camp practice for rookies only. Veterans report on Wednesday, one day before the first full team workout.
Michael Crabtree, San Francisco’s leading receiver in 2012, won’t be among them — at least not on the field. Crabtree underwent surgery on his right Achilles tendon after tearing it during a practice May 21 and is still in the early stages of rehabilitation.
The 49ers aren’t ruling out Crabtree returning at some point during the season.
“I wouldn’t categorize it as ahead of schedule because he is just starting to move on it,” Harbaugh said. “It’s just been healing but it looks great. That’s from the words of the doctor.”
The news on Kyle Williams is more encouraging. Harbaugh said he is very optimistic Williams will be able to practice when the veterans check in. Williams is coming back from a knee injury suffered late last season.
