San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Anthony Davis, just two days before the start of the 2016 regular season, is reportedly about to retire. Though, there are conflicting reports.
Cam Inman of Mercury News is reporting Davis has made up his mind to abandon the 49ers once again.
“The 49ers’ practice report Saturday states that Davis did not participate for a non-injury related reason, which the team indicated was not injury related.
“Davis did not return a text message seeking comment,” Inman writes. “The 49ers are apparently trying to convince him to reconsider, a league source indicated.”
A while later, Jason Cole of Bleacher Report contradicted this report.
Told by a source close to #49ers G Anthony Davis that he is not retiring.
— Jason Cole (@JasonCole62) September 10, 2016
If he is retiring, it is shocking. But then again maybe it shouldn’t be.
Davis stunned the 49ers in June of 2015 by retiring to give his body time to heal. He had a contentious relationship with general manager Trent Baalke during the offseason (more on that here) but ultimately did make do on his promise to return.
Once he was reinstated by the league, Davis worked his way back into the starting lineup as the team’s right guard, and he looked quite good this preseason.
It’s hard to say what’s going on with Davis at this point. He’s been healthy, had a positive attitude and had regained the trust of his teammates. Pending details of what’s really going on here, it’s unlikely that trust will ever be given again if he does abandon his teammates a second time.