Santa Clara, CA – The San Francisco 49ers signed Eric Wright to a one-year contract Thursday, less than three weeks after voiding a trade for the veteran cornerback with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for medical reasons.
The 49ers had acquired Wright from the Buccaneers on July 19 in exchange for a conditional 2014 draft pick, but the deal was voided three days later after he failed a physical. Tampa Bay subsequently released the 28-year-old, who was entering the second season of a five-year, $37.5 million contract he signed with the Bucs as a free agent.
San Francisco has placed Wright on the active non-football injury/illness list for the time being, citing an undisclosed off-field issue.
"We are pleased to welcome Eric to the 49ers organization and look forward to his contributions," said 49ers general manager Trent Baalke. "Eric is currently tending to a personal matter and he will join the team as soon as possible."
Wright will be joining his fourth team in as many years, having started all 16 games for the Detroit Lions in 2011 prior to signing with Tampa Bay. The San Francisco native spent his first four years in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns, who selected Wright in the second round of the 2007 draft.
The USC product has started 81 of his 85 career games and tallied 363 tackles, 14 interceptions while returning two of those picks for touchdowns. In 10 starts with the Buccaneers last season, Wright accumulated 37 tackles.
San Francisco waived undrafted rookie cornerback Lowell Rose to open a spot for Wright on the 90-man camp roster.
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