49ers‘ Trent Baalke denies report of friction with Chip Kelly
Last week, former NFL player Brian Baldinger said in a radio interview that he’s heard “there’s problems in the building between Chip and Baalke.”
Baldinger, an NFL Network analyst, has close ties to the Eagles, who fired Kelly last year before their regular-season finale partly because of Kelly’s issues with the front office.
Baldinger spent the final two seasons of his 12-year career with the Eagles and also has covered their preseason games as an analyst.
Once the option is exercised, the fifth year is guaranteed for injury only until it becomes fully guaranteed on the first day of the league year in the player’s fifth contract season.
Baalke said he hasn’t had an in-person discussion with former right tackle Anthony Davis, who retired from the NFL last year and has yet to apply for reinstatement.
Baalke said Davis’ status had no bearing on how the 49ers view their tackle position entering the draft.
Baalke said defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey is “rolling along” and has made “great progress” after tearing an anterior cruciate ligament Nov. 22, but declined to say he’ll be ready to play in the regular-season opener.
Baalke said he didn’t have a timeline on when nose tackle Ian Williams will be ready to play after ankle surgery in the offseason.
Louisiana Tech running back Kenneth Dixon, who ranks second in NCAA history in total touchdowns, has had a pre-draft visit with the 49ers, a source said.
Dixon, 5-foot-10 and 222 pounds, is expected to be a mid-round pick after he collected 5,452 total yards and 87 touchdowns in his four-year career.