NFL notes: 49ers trade TE Davis to Broncos

Former Pro Bowl tight end Vernon Davis is no longer a 49er.

In a move that was rumored over the weekend, the 49ers traded the 10-year veteran, the longest-tenured player on the team, to the Denver Broncos on Monday for late-round draft picks.

The move will reportedly send Davis to the unbeaten Broncos for a sixth-round pick in 2017. The 49ers and Broncos will also swap sixth and seventh round picks in 2016, with the 49ers receiving the higher pick. Both teams confirmed the trade but did not disclose the terms.

“He’ll be a valuable addition to our team with his experience and leadership,” tweeted Broncos general manager John Elway.

“On behalf of the entire 49ers organization, I would like to thank Vernon for his decade of contributions to this team and our community,” general manager Trent Baalke said in a prepared statement. “Not only has he contributed to some of the most memorable moments in franchise history, but he has also positively impacted the lives of many others through his efforts in the community. We wish Vernon and his family continued success in both football and life.”

Davis caught six passes for 24 yards in the team’s loss to the St. Louis Rams on Sunday, then responded to the swirling trade rumors.

“It’s a possibility,” Davis said of getting traded. “But there’s nothing I can do about it. Regardless of what happens to me or anyone on this team, everything is going to work out in our favor. . I’m always prepared for anything. Nothing really surprises me.”

Davis had to answer to reports last week that he had recent run-ins with quarterback Colin Kaepernick and left tackle Joe Staley. He disputed that he called out Kaepernick during a players-only meeting and contradicted reports he and Staley got into an argument that escalated into a physical confrontation.

“No, I didn’t call Kap out,” Davis said last Thursday. “I don’t know where you got that from. I didn’t call Kap out at all.

”It’s not my job or my role, to call Kap out. I let coaches do that. We’re all together. There’s nothing that can separate any of us. We’re inseparable, I would think.“

Davis, 31, whose contract expires after this season, has seen his production as a receiver drop dramatically over the past two seasons. He has caught just 18 passes for 194 yards this season and does not have a touchdown. In fact, he has not caught a touchdown pass since Week 1 of the 2014 season against Dallas, when he hooked up with quarterback Colin Kaepernick for two scores.

Rams look like real deal

More and more, it’s looking like the St. Louis Rams are for real.

They’ve got a consistent threat in Todd Gurley, the first rookie in NFL history to rush for 125 or more yards in his first four starts. They’ve got a dominant defense that has allowed just four field goals the last two weeks. And they’re showing more diversity on offense.

The Rams (4-3) would have had 200 yards rushing while also getting strong production from backup Tre Mason had they not lost a yard on three kneel-downs at the end of Sunday’s 27-6 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. Nick Foles likely would have thrown for 200 yards for the first time since the opener – he ended with 191 – had the win not been in hand.

St. Louis is above .500 in November for the first time since 2006, and guarding against playoff talk.

“It feels really good, I’m not going to shy away from it,” middle linebacker James Laurinaitis said. “Feels good, but there’s also that part where you’re not finished.”

Williams will replace Bell

A season-ending injury to Pittsburgh’s star running back Le’Veon Bell has thrust DeAngelo Williams into the spotlight again.

The veteran running back filled in nicely while Bell was suspended early in the season. Now, Williams is the feature back after the Steelers placed Bell on injured reserve Monday with a right knee injury suffered during Sunday’s loss against Cincinnati.

“We’ve been here before,” Williams said. “For about eight or nine years, I’ve been a starter in this league and I started the first two games in the season. I know why (the Steelers) brought me here and I’m going to play my role. If that’s what they need me to do, then I’m going to do it.”

Williams, who signed a two-year contract with the Steelers in March, spent his first nine seasons in Carolina, where he held just about every significant rushing record in Panthers history. The Steelers brought in the veteran to take some of the workload off Bell, the 23-year-old All-Pro who finished second in the league with 1,361 rushing and 2,215 all-purpose yards in his second season.

Now, the 32-year-old Williams is the starter.

“I want to step in and try to do my job the best that I can,” Williams said. “I don’t want to do it like Le’Veon because I think we’re two different runners and we bring different dimensions to the team.”

Bengals, Cardinals tilt now prime time

The NFL will use its flexible scheduling option the first week it’s available this season, moving a matchup between Cincinnati and Arizona into prime time.

The league announced that the Bengals-Cardinals game Nov. 22 will be on “Sunday Night Football.” Cincinnati is currently undefeated and Arizona is 6-2.

It replaces the originally scheduled Chiefs-Chargers matchup, which moves to 1:05 p.m. PST on CBS.

Around the league

Chicago Bears star running back Matt Forte and veteran receiver Eddie Royal likely will return this season and probably won’t need surgery to repair knee injuries they suffered in Sunday’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings. … With an extra week’s rest following the Bills bye week, quarterback Tyrod Taylor said he’s ready to reclaim his starting job after missing two games with a sprained ligament in his left knee. … San Diego Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen has a kidney injury and will be out indefinitely. Allen was hurt making a spectacular touchdown catch just before halftime of Sunday’s 29-26 loss at Baltimore. At the time, the Chargers thought Allen had the wind knocked out of him.