On Monday, 49ers defensive tackle Kentwan Balmer failed to attend practice. Though coach Mike Singletary refused to address the situation in any detail, we later learned that the team excused the absence, due to a family-related matter. We also reported that the team expected Balmer to return on Wednesday.
It’s now Wednesday. And Balmer hasn’t returned.
Via multiple reports, Balmer’s absence is now officially AWOL.
“Coach [Mike] Singletary met with him and told him to take a couple days off,” team spokesman Bob Lange said, per Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. “When he did not come in today [Wednesday morning], it was an unexcused absence. He’s been informed he’s unexcused.”
Balmer is now subject to daily fines in excess of $16,000 and, possibly, forfeiture of a year’s service toward free agency. The team also may send him a “five-day letter,” which would allow the 49ers to place him on the season-ending reserve/left squad list if he fails to return within five days.
It’s unknown whether Balmer’s absence has any connection to his suspected involved in the ongoing NCAA inquiry involving the North Carolina football program. As a practical matter, however, the NCAA has no jurisdiction over Balmer, since he no longer is at the school.