San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis hasn't done much on the field this season, thanks in large part to a knee injury that has limited him to just three games and eight receptions thus far this season, but that doesn't mean he hasn't been creating waves off of it. No, Davis isn't facing some kind of off-field issue or arrest. Instead, it seems that teams around the NFL noticed his limited use prior to his inactive status the last two weeks and are calling to gauge the cost of acquiring the two-time Pro Bowl tight end. Jason Cole of Bleacher Report revealed Wednesday afternoon that "multiple teams" have buzzed Niners GM Trent Baalke's cellphone to inquire as to just what it could take to obtain Davis from the team.
Thus far, the answer has been something along the lines of, "not for all the hybrid cars in San Francisco," per Cole. It seems the Niners, despite their difficult start to the season and current 1-4 record, aren't yet ready to call it quits and sell off whatever quality assets they own which may still be coveted by other playoff-worthy teams.
That being said, Cole makes it a point of noting that a 49ers source indicated to him that the Niners are not actively shopping Davis and that he's not available "at this time." Whether that means the former first-round pick will be available should the season continue on its current trajectory is anyone's guess, but Baalke and head coach Jim Tomsula have to know that a player like Davis, in his tenth season in the league, and facing his second-straight season of limited production, could be more valuable as a trade chip than on-the-field pass catcher.
Of course, with Davis in the final year of his deal, the Niners motivation to deal Davis may very well increase as the trade deadline looms. Then again, now 31 and seemingly increasingly injury prone, Davis likely wouldn't net much in the form of picks or players were San Fran to deal him at this point.
