SANTA CLARA - The 49ers were "absolutely" aware of cornerback Eric Wright's recent drunk-driving arrest, but it was a failed physical that caused his trade from the Buccaneers to be voided, 49ers general manager Trent Baalke said Tuesday in a rare media session.
"The Bucs were very forthcoming with the information and we definitely knew what his status was," Baalke said. "Our medical staff wasn't convinced he was ready to be put on the field, so we didn't pass him."
The Buccaneers subsequently waived Wright, who is now an unrestricted free agent. Baalke said the 49ers won't close the door on Wright or any available player, but the team filled its only vacant roster spot when cornerback Lowell Rose re-signed earlier Tuesday.
"All the work we did and the discussions we had with Eric when he came in here was very positive," Baalke said. "There were some concerns, we addressed the concerns. But once again he's not with us and we'd rather talk about the guys that are here. He just didn't pass the physical."
Wright battled an Achilles injury last season before getting suspended four games for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy. He was also arrested last year for suspicion of drunk driving in Los Angeles but charges were never filed. Baalke cautioned reporters about reading too much into Wright's most recent DUI arrest.
STAYING MUM ON BROOKS
Following coach Jim Harbaugh's lead from Monday, Baalke declined to state whether linebacker Ahmad Brooks faces team-issued discipline for an alleged assault against teammate Lamar Divens last month. Said Baalke: "Anything that we do, if in fact that transpires, you'll know when everybody else knows."
MOSS NOT RULED OUT
Randy Moss' return is unlikely, but Baalke declined to rule out the free agent wideout.
Asked if Moss has inquired about re-signing, Baalke replied: "I can't say whether he has or hasn't. Once again, nobody's off limits. Nobody."
Reflecting on the the 49ers' divisional-round playoff win over the Green Bay Packers, quarterback Colin Kaepernick told Sports Illustrated's Peter King: "It got to a point where we could hear (the Packers defenders) arguing while we were in our huddle. ... At that point, our offense was like, 'It's over.' As soon as you start turning on your teammates, you're not going to be productive."
LATTIMORE 'FEELS BETTER'
Running back Marcus Lattimore "feels better every day" as he continues to rehabilitate a knee injury that likely will sideline him his rookie season. "Once you put on the pads and you take a hit and you fall on your knee and you get up - that's when you know you're ready to go."
Tight end Vance McDonald said his blocking has been a big emphasis the past two days in practice, and he's trying to mimic the strides of his predecessor, Delanie Walker, who's now on the Tennessee Titans. When Walker recently spoke at the NFL's rookie symposium, McDonald approached him and told him: "You block really well. Don't get me wrong, you're built really well for a former wide receiver."
ALL VETERANS EXPECTED TODAY
Baalke expects all veterans to report on time for today's mandatory reporting deadline.
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