SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers are bracing for the unexpected retirement of star linebacker Patrick Willis.
Willis, 30, is expected to announce his retirement Tuesday, according to various reports.
Willis, a perennial Pro Bowl selection in each of his first seven seasons, played only 5½ games last season before aggravating a toe injury Oct. 13 at St. Louis. He underwent surgery a month later on his left toe.
“I feel like I have five or six more great years of football left in my body,” Willis said Nov. 11. “I have to think about the big picture. They might miss me for a little bit but, I promise you, when I come back I’ll be better and stronger than I was before I left.”
Willis, a first-round pick in the 2007 NFL draft, made Associated Press all-pro teams in each of his first six seasons. He was first team all-pro each of those years except in 2008, when he made second team all-pro.
The 49ers’ defense has thrived with help from Willis’ hard-hitting tackling since 2007. He has a career total of 1,225 tackles (according to the coaches’ game film) and 20½ sacks. His 226 tackles as a rookie were his most in any season.
Willis missed only six games total in his first seven NFL seasons as he carved out a reputation as one of the league’s best linebackers.
He is scheduled to make $7.065 million in base salary this year. The 49ers would gain $7.4 million in salary cap space if Willis retires, according to .
Willis and fellow inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman formed a formidable 49ers duo from 2011-13. Bowman missed all of last season while rehabilitating from a knee injury.
Chris Borland, a third-round draft pick last year, replaced Willis in the lineup and totaled a team-high 128 tackles before missing the season finale because of an ankle injury.
San Francisco defensive lineman Justin Smith also is considering retirment, according to various reports.
