San Francisco 49ers right guard Alex Boone ended his holdout Monday by reporting and passing a physical, the team announced.
ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter reported Sunday that Boone was set to end his holdout.
The 49ers also announced they received a roster exemption for Boone, meaning they did not have to make an immediate corresponding roster move as it currently sits at 53 players. They will have to make such a move before Boone, who has started every game for the Niners the past two seasons, appears in a game.
Initially, a likely move would have been to release undrafted rookie Dillon Farrell, who was a surprise to many to be included on the initial 53-man roster.
Plus, with only six of the eight offensive linemen on the initial 53 healthy -- right tackle Anthony Davis is working his way back from offseason shoulder surgery and backup rookie center Marcus Martin is out perhaps six weeks with a knee injury -- the 49ers could potentially look elsewhere on the roster for a spot.
Nose tackle Glenn Dorsey is still recuperating from surgery on a torn left biceps and is a likely candidate to be placed on the Injured Reserve/Designated to Return list starting Tuesday, which would free up a roster spot for Boone. That, though, would leave the 49ers, who run a 3-4 base defense, with only seven defensive linemen, including Ray McDonald, who could be facing suspension in the wake of his arrest for domestic violence early Sunday morning.
The 6-foot-7, 330-pound Boone will land a new two-year deal to replace his old contract, with an increase in salary and incentives if he reaches the Pro Bowl, sources told Schefter. The 49ers also will not be able to use their franchise tag on Boone once the new contract has expired, sources said.
Boone originally was scheduled to make up to $4 million over the next two seasons under his previous deal, sources said.
Joe Looney had done an admirable job in Boone's place in the preseason.