Scrafford Re-Signs With 49ers

Kirk Scrafford decided the fishing can wait.

Scrafford ended his retirement Wednesday and re-signed with the San Francisco 49ers. The offensive tackle agreed to a six-year, $13.5 million deal that will pay him $750,000 for the rest of this season.

Probably San Francisco's best offensive lineman last season, Scrafford had been bothered by a lingering neck injury and decided to retire last April after having surgery to repair a damaged disc.

However, his recovery went better than expected, and after doctors told him he faced no major risks by resuming his career, Scrafford and the 49ers began talks in recent weeks aimed at bringing him back.

"I wasn't missing training camp too much when I was up there fishing (in Montana) but when they started playing games and I started watching, yeah I missed being out there," Scrafford said. "All along, I thought if my neck came along, I'd like to come back and help this team go places this year."

The 49ers were encouraged by Scrafford's strong workout Wednesday and he was to practice with the team for the first time Thursday. Though he probably won't be ready to play in Sunday's game at Green Bay, coach Steve Mariucci said it's likely Scrafford could be ready for the Carolina game the week after.

"It depends on how he feels, how he looks, how he holds up and then we'll make a determination," Mariucci said. "Provided he feels good practicing, he should play against Carolina.

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