The 49ers have been talking to a variety of free agent linebackers in recent days and they signed one of them on Tuesday.
Desmond Bishop’s agent told Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee that Bishop will return to the team on a one-year deal. Bishop signed with the team late last season after injuries gutted their linebacking corps and made two tackles in two games with the team.
Bishop also spent time with the Cardinals in 2014 and played four games for the Vikings in 2013 after missing the entire 2012 season. Before moving to Minnesota, Bishop spent five seasons with the Packers. He was a starter for the final two of those seasons and totaled more than 100 tackles each season while also recording eight sacks.
Bishop will likely fight for time behind NaVorro Bowman and Michael Wilhoite as long as Bowman has recovered from the knee injury that kept him out for all of last year. Nick Moody and Shayne Skov are also on hand as reserve options for the Niners in the wake of the retirements of Patrick Willis and Chris Borland this month.