CSN Bay Area

Free agent defensive lineman Darnell Dockett, whom the Arizona Cardinals released last week, is visiting with the 49ers on Tuesday, a league source told CSNBayArea.com.

Dockett, who turns 34 in May, missed just two games in his first 10 NFL seasons with the Cardinals before sustaining a torn ACL in August. Dockett is expected to meet with coaches, team officials and have a physical.

Dockett is a three-time Pro Bowl selection. He has 40.5 career sacks, including a career-high nine in 2007.

The Cardinals released him to avoid paying his scheduled $6.8 million salary. The team offered Dockett a one-year contract worth $2.5 million, the Arizona Republic reported. He could have earned up to $4 million with incentives.

The 49ers are looking for help on the defensive line. Dockett (6 foot 4, 290 pounds) can play the end positions in the 49ers' 3-4 scheme. The team released lineman Ray McDonald late last season. And veteran Justin Smith is expected to meet with coach Jim Tomsula this week to discuss his future.

Smith has contemplated retirement for the past several seasons. He is scheduled to enter the final year of the three-year contract he negotiated for himself in June 2013.

Glenn Dorsey, Ian Williams, Tony Jerod-Eddie, Tank Carradine and Quinton Dial are the other defensive linemen with NFL experience currently under contract to the 49ers.

Although the free-agent signing period begins March 10, Dockett was allowed to immediately negotiate with other teams because he was released from his contract with the Cardinals.