49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said SS Donte Whitner (hip) is "highly questionable" for Sunday's game against the Eagles.

Whitner has 11 tackles and one interception through three games. LeSean McCoy and the Eagles' running game gets a boost if the thumper can't go.

The 49ers will use use Donte Whitner as a "true" strong safety, allowing him to "morph into a linebacker" in nickel packages.

We initially guessed third safety Reggie Smith might replace Whitner on passing downs, but the $12 million man is going to be a three-down player. The Niners' front seven became more leaky this offseason, losing NT Aubrayo Franklin and ILB Takeo Spikes. Whitner will be the main beneficiary in IDP leagues.

49ers signed SS Donte Whitner to a three-year, $11.75 million contract, including $4 million guaranteed.

Whitner personally text messaged media members that he was signing with Cincinnati, wrote it on his Twitter page, and the Bengals even posted the deal on their website. He changed his mind at the last minute and is going to be a Niner. Whitner will be the strong safety to Reggie Smith's free, and likely an immediate starter in IDP leagues. A true "in the box," run-support safety, the 49ers should be careful to not leave Whitner in coverage too much.

Bengals signed SS Donte Whitner to a two-year contract.

Whitner, who just turned 26, will add competition to a Bengals safety position that was projected to produce Reggie Nelson and Chris Crocker as starters. Both Nelson and Crocker are now on notice. Whitner led all NFL defensive backs in tackles (140) last season, and run support has long been his primary strength. Pro Football Focus graded Whitner 70th out of 85 qualifying safeties in coverage. The Bengals should make sure to keep him in the box, playing strong safety across from the winner of the Nelson-Crocker camp battle.

According to Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer, the Bengals' interest in free agent SS Donte Whitner appears to have "cooled off."

Reedy no longer expects Whitner to sign with the Bengals. The former No. 8 overall pick's market has been softer than anyone could have imagined. Whitner won't be back in Buffalo, and the Bengals so far have been his best bet.

According to ESPN's John Clayton, there is a "good chance" free agent S Donte Whitner will sign with the Bengals.

The Browns were frequently floated as a possible suitor for Whitner this offseason, but they've opted to go with Usama Young instead. The Bengals have a vacancy at strong safety with Roy Williams unsigned.

The Buffalo News confirms that free agent SS Donte Whitner "appears certain to sign elsewhere" after five seasons.

Whitner is one of the top run-support strong safeties in football, but the Bills are going cheaper at the position with Jairus Byrd and George Wilson. Whitner just turned 26 years old on Sunday, so he should have plenty of solid seasons left in the tank. The Browns have been floated as a possible suitor.

Free agent S Donte Whitner refuses to rule out re-signing with the Bills even if all signs point to the team going in a different direction.

GM Buddy Nix made it fairly clear that the drafting of Da'Norris Searcy had sealed Whitner's exit. The free agent responded Thursday that all hurt feelings would be forgotten if he returned and played well. We don't see it happening.

Bills GM Buddy Nix strongly indicated on a radio show Monday that the team has no intentions if retaining free agent SS Donte Whitner.

"Donte Whitner I don't think wants to be here, and he probably won't," Nix said. That's about as close to confirmation an NFL team will give. The Bills' moves already indicated they intend to move on, re-signing George Wilson and drafting Da'Norris Searcy, another "box" safety. Whitner, 26 in July, was the eighth overall pick in the 2006 draft out of Ohio State. He'll appeal to teams that value safeties who play the run effectively.

The Bills' selection of SS Da'Norris Searcy "sends a clear message" to free agent Donte Whitner, according to the Buffalo News.

Whitner wasn't happy with the contract offer he got from the Bills, and now it looks like he's going to be shown the door. The Bills are deep at strong safety with George Wilson and Searcy now competing for the starting gig.

The Buffalo News confirms that the Bills' courting of Bob Sanders indicates the team is ready to "move on" from free agent SS Donte Whitner.

Whitner has taken to Twitter to bash the Sanders visit. The Bills are kidding themselves if they think Sanders is clearly a better option than Whitner or George Wilson, but Whitner is kidding himself if he thinks he'll get the payday he's pursuing. Wilson is also a free agent, so at the very least the Bills are trying to cover themselves in the event they lose both.

Impending free agent SS Donte Whitner expressed unhappiness with the Bills' latest contract offer.

Whitner said he was "surprised and hurt" by the latest offer, and he's now threatening to leave via free agency. The sides are expected to touch base again on Thursday, however. With a capable reserve in George Wilson, the Bills would be better off not overpaying to keep Whitner.

Bills SS Donte Whitner revealed that he's had discussions with the team about a contract extension.

The Bills will end up overpaying, just as they did with Chris Kelsay. Though Whitner is one of the AFC's top run support DBs, the Bills have a much better cover safety sitting on the bench in George Wilson. Wilson would also be far cheaper than Whitner to sign long term. The eighth overall pick in the '06 draft, Whitner has accounted for just eight turnovers in 65 career games.

Bills SS Donte Whitner is just one tackle shy of his career high.

The "splash" plays haven't been there for Whitner this season, but he's racking up a ton of tackles. He's coming off a career-high 18-tackle game and currently has 17 more tackles than any other safety in football. Whitner credits the switch to the 3-4 for his blowup this year. "Covering tight ends, covering wide receivers, playing in the box, playing deep, blitzing ... my responsibilities in this defense are endless, and I enjoy it and I welcome it," he said.

Bills coach Chan Gailey defended SS Donte Whitner after Whitner allowed three touchdown passes in Week 7.

Two of the TDs went to Todd Heap, who had scored once all season entering the game. "We're asking Donte to do a lot," explained Gailey. "When you ask a lot of a player, sometimes it's going to be good and sometimes it's not going to be good." Whitner has been awful in coverage all year, and not great in run support. It's a crime that George Wilson is riding the pine.

Dante Whitner is excited about the Bills shift to the 3-4 defense.

Whitner has been underwhelming in his short career, but the fifth year safety is confident that the new scheme will allow him to shine. "I don't think the Tampa 2 was really suited for my skills and allowed me to run and go play football. That's what this scheme allows me to do." Whitner has a lot of value as an IDP player, but owners should be preparing themselves for a roller coaster ride.

Donte Whitner is entering OTAs as the starting strong safety, according to the Bills' official site.

The Chan Gailey regime is apparently shaking things up. Whitner played at free safety last year before getting hurt, but is more familiar with the strong safety spot. He'll likely be pushed by Bryan Scott and George Wilson to line up next to Jairus Byrd in Week 1. Safety is one of the few positions the Bills actually have quality depth at.