49ers CB Nate Clements confirmed that he has not discussed restructuring his contract with the team.

Players obviously can't communicate with team employees during the lockout, but the sides could've conversed in February or early March. Clements and the 49ers didn't, at least not to the extent that Clements agreed to redo his deal. The 30-year-old is due over $15 million in salary and incentives this season. Clements won't be a 49er unless he restructures his deal.

GM Trent Baalke hinted Thursday that CB Nate Clements would have to restructure his contract to stay with the 49ers this season.

Asked if Clements would be back, Baalke replied, "You'd have to ask Nate. Honestly, I can't tell you right now." Clements is already under contract for $7.25 million this year, so there would be no reason to ask him about his future unless he's been pressured to accept a paycut.

According to CSNBayArea.com's Matt Maiocco, 49ers LCB Nate Clements will be asked to take a pay cut in order to remain with the team next season.

Clements had a solid bounce-back season in 2010 after getting benched in 2009, but he's definitely not worth what he's slated to earn. The 10-year veteran will get $7.25 million in 2011, with another $7.95 million available in "likely-to-be-reached" incentives. The Niners are expected to approach Clements within the next six weeks in order to begin negotiations on a new deal.

CB Nate Clements made nine tackles (eight solo), a sack and a forced fumble in a Week 7 loss to San Francisco.

Clements wasn't expected to play against Carolina due to a gimpy ankle, but posted solid IDP stats for those bold enough to start him. He tackled RB DeAngelo Williams in the backfield, forcing a second-quarter fumble that was recovered by teammate LB Parys Haralson. Clements should remain in IDP lineups Week 8 when the Niners face the Broncos in London.

49ers CB Nate Clements (ankle) is likely to sit out in Week 7.

He missed Thursday's practice and was only able to practice on a limited basis Friday. He's listed as questionable, but when coach Mike Singletary was asked whether Will James will fill in for Clements this weekend, he said, "Yes, that's probably the situation."

Nate Clements is going to shift inside to cover slot receivers when the Niners go to their nickel package this season.

Clements is looking for a bounce-back campaign after a disastrous 2009 season that saw him benched. He's locked into a starting job opposite Shawntae Spencer, but will play the nickel back role for the first time in his career when Tarell Brown comes on the field.

There's "no question" that Nate Clements will keep his starting cornerback job this season, according to beat writer Matt Maiocco.

After an in-season benching, there had been speculation over the winter that Clements' job could be jeopardy. Due $7.25 million in 2011, the 30-year-old is entering a make-or-break season with the 49ers.

Upon arriving to minicamp Thursday, Nate Clements pronounced himself 100 percent recovered from last year's broken scapula.

Clements passed up a $500,000 roster bonus to work out in Arizona this offseason, and he appears to be slimmer than a year ago. He and Shawntae Spencer were immediately inserted into the starting lineup at cornerback.

Nate Clements, who has been training on his own all offseason, is expected to attend the 49ers mandatory minicamp that starts on Thursday.

Clements passed up a lot of money to work out away from the team, but coach Mike Singletary repeatedly gave Clements his blessing. Clements is projected as a starting corner, but it's worth noting that he was benched last season even before fracturing his shoulder blade. He has a lot to prove this season.

Nate Clements is forfeiting a $500,000 workout bonus to train away from the 49ers in Arizona.

It's hard to fathom passing up that kind of money, but Clements has found a workout program with which he's comfortable. He's heading into a possible make-or-break season, so he'll want to make sure he's in tip-top shape.