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San Francisco 49ers OT Davis, 25, walking away from football

Baltimore Ravens' Pernell McPhee (90) pressures San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) as Anthony Davis blocks, during the second quarter of Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on February 3, 2013 in New Orleans. UPI/David Tulis
Baltimore Ravens' Pernell McPhee (90) pressures San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) as Anthony Davis blocks, during the second quarter of Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on February 3, 2013 in New Orleans. UPI/David Tulis | License Photo

Another young San Francisco 49ers player is walking away from the game.

Offensive tackle Anthony Davis, 25, said Friday he will "take a year or so" off from the NFL to get healthy.

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The 49ers said Davis informed them he plans to retire.

"This will be a time for me to allow my brain and body a chance to heal," Davis said in a statement released to media outlets. "I know many won't understand my decision, that's OK.

"I hope you too have the courage to live your life how you planned it when day dreaming to yourself growing up. Your life is your dream and you have the power to control that dream. I'm simply doing what's best for my body as well as my mental health at this time in my life."

The news came almost three months after 24-year-old 49ers linebacker Chris Borland said he was retiring over concerns about brain trauma.

Linebacker Patrick Willis retired just days earlier at the age of 30 and defensive lineman Justin Smith retired last month after 14 NFL seasons.

Davis started his first 64 NFL games after the 49ers drafted him with the 11th overall pick in 2010 out of Rutgers. He played in only nine games last season because of injuries, including a concussion he suffered in November.

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"The 49ers organization thanks Anthony for his contributions to our team over the last five seasons and wishes him the best as he moves on from the game," 49ers general manager Trent Baalke said in a statement.

[SportsNetwork.com]

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