Update: Eric Wright has failed his physical. As such the trade has been cancelled, and he returns to the Bucs. Tampa Bay will now release the troubled corner.
The San Francisco 49ers have agreed to a deal to acquire troubled Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Eric Wright via trade today. In return the Bucs will receive a conditional pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. Wright is relatively affordable for a corner, on a one-year deal worth just $1.5 million.
Wright, who was suspended for four games last season due to violating the NFL’s policy against performance enhancing drugs had become a controversial figure in Tampa. Many believed that the Bucs would cut ties with him entirely this off-season, before they announced that they had signed him to the cheap one-year contract.
However, shortly after news of the trade broke, further news about Wright’s troubles also came to light. It appears that Wright was arrested on July 12th and given a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence (DUI) in the Los Angeles area. Wright had previously been arrested and charged with DUI in 2012 but those charges against him were dropped.
The 49ers have indicated that they did know about Wright’s arrest prior to the trade.
“We are pleased to add Eric to our team,” 49ers GM Trent Baalke said. “As an organization, we have done our due diligence and anticipate Eric working hard to contribute to the 49ers.”
Wright is scheduled to undergo a physical in the bay area next week before the trade can become official with the league.
Wright, 27, has played 6 NFL seasons. Last season he started 10 games at corner for the Buccaneers, he had 1 fumble recovery, and 1 interception, which he returned 60 yards for a touchdown. In his career he has 3 forced fumbles, 5 fumble recoveries, 14 interceptions and 2 touchdowns.
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