Tight end Vernon Davis, one of only two 49ers players not participating in the team’s voluntary offseason workout program, is apparently hoping to leverage his high-profile absence into a new contract.
Davis, who has two years remaining on a lucrative deal he signed before the 2010 season opener, is remaining away from the 49ers' organized workout program due to dissatisfaction with his contract, a source indicated to CSNBayArea.com.
The workouts are not voluntary for Davis, who is sacrificing his annual $200,000 workout bonus with his absence, said a source familiar with Davis' deal.
Davis finished the season as the #2 TE, but his numbers took a dip after Michael Crabtree returned to the fold. Davis averaged 3.8-62-.90 on 6.1 targets without Crabtree in the lineup. After his return (and including three playoff games), those numbers fell to 2.4-35-.75 on 4.6 T/G. Those are still top 10 numbers at the position, but Davis simply isn’t a no-brainer top 5 pick with Crabtree in the lineup. Davis has a history of being underutilized in the 49ers’ run-heavy offense, and that’s a possibility again in 2014. A potential holdout further muddies the waters.
49ers news
