SANTA CLARA -– The 49ers on Wednesday activated inside linebacker Nick Bellore off the non-football illness list. And Michael Wilhoite, currently on the non-football injury list, might not be far behind.
Bellore, who spent this first four NFL seasons with the New York Jets, signed with the 49ers in the offseason as a free agent. He reported to camp with an undisclosed illness that kept him sidelined for the first 12 practices and first exhibition game.
Wilhoite, a 16-game starter last season, reported to training camp with a leg strain. Coach Jim Tomsula intimated that an MRI examination resulted in a favorable report on Wilhoite's status.
“Yeah, Michael, we’ve got great news,” Tomsula said. “Again, don’t want to mislead, but really good. He and Bellore with (Tuesday’s) stuff was really good. So, we’re going to let the doctors do their job and let us know when’s the smart way to do things. What we want to be doing is trending up with guys going into the season rather than trending down.”
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Defensive lineman Glenn Dorsey, wide receiver Bruce Ellington and linebacker Philip Wheeler are all expected to miss practice Wednesday due to leg muscle strains. Tight end Derek Carrier is out with an illness.
Offensive lineman Jordan Devey passed his physical on Wednesday to finalize the trade that sent tight end Asante Cleveland to the New England Patriots in exchange for Devey.