Patrick Willis, 30, on NFL retirement: 'It's my health first'

(9:00 pm ET) 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis will retire from the NFL on Tuesday, after eight seasons, according to a report by Yahoo Sports, citing a source. Willis missed 10 games last season after toe surgery. He's spent his entire career with the

The 49ers 11-man defensive depth chart a year ago included Justin Smith, Patrick Willis, Ray McDonald, Chris Culliver, Perrish Cox and Ahmad Brooks. Those guys are either gone or could be gone before the end of this week. And of course, Frank Gore is 

(9:00 pm ET) 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis will retire from the NFL on Tuesday, after eight seasons, according to a report by Yahoo Sports, citing a source. Willis missed 10 games last season after toe surgery. He's spent his entire career with the

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) _ The 49ers say Seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker Patrick Willis will retire after his 2014 season was cut short by a toe injury that required surgery. Willis and friend NaVorro Bowman had made up one of the best 1-2 linebacker 

It's already been a rough offseason for the San Francisco 49ers, and it's about to get worse following Patrick Willis' retirement.