Looking to add some depth to their linebacker corps, the 49ers have agreed to terms on a one-year deal with Desmond Bishop, reports Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee (via Twitter). Bishop, a Bay Area native, will return to the team after signing with San Francisco last December.
Bishop, 30, spent the first six years of his NFL career in Green Bay, emerging as one of the team’s starting linebackers in 2010 and 2011. The former sixth-round pick racked up more than 100 tackles in each of those seasons, totaling eight sacks, 10 passes defended, and four forced fumbles in those two combined years. However, injuries have since derailed his career. Bishop suffered a ruptured hamstring in 2012 while with the Vikings, and in 2013, his season was cut short after four games thanks to an ACL tear.
In 2014, Bishop signed with the Cardinals but didn’t see much action in Arizona. After he was released by the Cards for a second time, he caught on with the Niners in December and appeared in two games for San Francisco, logging a pair of tackles.
Another year removed from his season-ending injuries in 2012 and 2013, Bishop could be poised to play a little more for the Niners in 2015. The veteran shouldn’t be penciled in for a major role, but the club will need some help at the inside linebacker spot after having both Patrick Willis and Chris Borland announce their retirement from the NFL this offseason.