Veteran cornerback Dre’ Bly signed a one-year contract with the 49ers just one day after the club announced starter Walt Harris would undergo season-ending surgery on his right knee.
Bly is scheduled to speak on a conference call with Bay Area reporters at 5 p.m.
He is expected to compete for a starting job against Tarell Brown and Shawntae Spencer, who coach Mike Singletary said would be at full strength at the beginning of training camp. Spencer sustained a torn knee ligament in the second game last season. He has not participated in any on-field work during the 49ers’ offseason program.
When asked about the thought of brining in a veteran cornerback earlier in the day, this is what Singletary said:
“You’re looking for a guy who has talent, a guy who can come in and compete. There are a lot of veterans out there that I’m not really excited about. So, it’s just a matter of finding the right guy that fits what we’re trying to do, willing to come in and compete and work hard to get better.”
Bly, who turns 32 tomorrow, is a 10-year NFL veteran. He played 2007 and ’08 with the Broncos, who released him in February.
Prior to joining the Broncos in a trade, Bly played four seasons with the Lions. Bly entered the league as a second-round pick of the Rams in 1999.
Bly has played every game — and 97 percent of his teams’ defensive snaps — the past three seasons. In his career, he has been selected to two Pro Bowls while recording 40 interceptions and forcing 17 fumbles.
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UPDATE: According to a league source, Bly signed a one-year contract for the veteran minimum of $845,000. The deal counts just $460,000 against the 49ers’ 2009 salary cap.
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