Former first round draft pick Kentwan Balmer is currently absent from his fourth straight practice, and this time it's not excused. The 49ers have informed Balmer of that, and according to a team spokesman, "We are following standard procedure for a player who has left camp." Translation: Balmer is being fined for his absence. The 49ers have not been in contact with Balmer today and don't know where he is.
Coach Mike Singletary spoke to Balmer on Monday after Balmer missed the afternoon practice that day. Singletary said later that Balmer was dealing with "personal issues" and that he would give the defensive end time to deal with them. "Kentwan's got to make up his mind in terms of how he's going to handle it," Singletary said. "... Sometimes things come up in life and you have to decide which is more important. That's where Kentwan is right now and until he makes that decision I'm going to give him the time to handle it. Because there's certainly a lot that's on his plate right now." Singletary refused to divulge what those "personal issues" are, but they are not believed to be related to the current NCAA investigation at the University of North Carolina that involve Balmer.
Singletary gave Balmer all of Tuesday to make that decision, but informed Balmer that he was expected back on Wednesday. Balmer has underachieved since the 49ers took him with the 29th overall pick in 2008, and he landed on IR with a shoulder injury late last season. He is currently behind starters Justin Smith and Isaac Sopoaga as well as backups Ray McDonald and Demetric Evans at the position. At this point, Balmer's spot on the team appears to be in serious jeopardy.
Coach Mike Singletary spoke to Balmer on Monday after Balmer missed the afternoon practice that day. Singletary said later that Balmer was dealing with "personal issues" and that he would give the defensive end time to deal with them. "Kentwan's got to make up his mind in terms of how he's going to handle it," Singletary said. "... Sometimes things come up in life and you have to decide which is more important. That's where Kentwan is right now and until he makes that decision I'm going to give him the time to handle it. Because there's certainly a lot that's on his plate right now." Singletary refused to divulge what those "personal issues" are, but they are not believed to be related to the current NCAA investigation at the University of North Carolina that involve Balmer.
Singletary gave Balmer all of Tuesday to make that decision, but informed Balmer that he was expected back on Wednesday. Balmer has underachieved since the 49ers took him with the 29th overall pick in 2008, and he landed on IR with a shoulder injury late last season. He is currently behind starters Justin Smith and Isaac Sopoaga as well as backups Ray McDonald and Demetric Evans at the position. At this point, Balmer's spot on the team appears to be in serious jeopardy.