Carradine finished the 2014 season with 17 tackles (16 solo) and three sacks over nine games.

Carradine was buried on the depth chart for most of the season, but saw extra run down the stretch once injuries hit the 49ers' defense. With Ray McDonald gone and Justin Smith contemplating retirement, a spot in the starting lineup may open up for Carradine in 2015 if he proves himself in training camp.

Carradine led all 49ers' in playing time Sunday, seeing the field for 57 snaps and recording a pair of tackles in the loss to Denver.

Carradine is recovering from an ACL injury that cost him most of the 2013 season. The former second-round pick will compete for a roster spot in the final two weeks of the preseason.

49ers DE Tank Carradine says he's up to 295 pounds.

Carradine, who missed his entire rookie season as he recovered from a torn ACL, weighed in at 276 at last year's Combine. As Rotoworld's Josh Norris points out, it could be an indication he's being groomed for a Justin Smith-type role. With Smith still going strong, however, Carradine should begin 2014 as a situational pass rusher.

49ers DE Tank Carradine had a procedure to remove a "mass of scar tissue" from his surgically-repaired right knee.

Coach Jim Harbaugh made the disclosure in his Thursday Combine presser. When Carradine underwent the operation is unclear, but Harbaugh hinted he's 100 percent. "He looks like a different guy now," Harbaugh said. "Just what we saw when he did practice with our football team and now this procedure that's been done, I'm even more excited." Carradine declared himself "fully recovered" in January, but made no mention of the follow-up surgery. Being eased into his NFL career, Carradine will likely start out 2014 as a situational pass rusher.

49ers DE Tank Carradine (ACL) has declared himself "fully recovered."

Coach Jim Harbaugh has "great hope" Carradine can carve out a role in 2014. "There's a path there," Harbaugh said. "Nobody owes anyone a career in professional football. Your career is literally your business. But I have great faith that (Carradine has) what it takes." The No. 40 overall pick of last April's draft, Carradine likely would have been a first-rounder if not for his medical concerns. He lived in the opposing backfield at Florida State. Carradine will likely start out 2014 as a situational pass rusher.

49ers placed DE Tank Carradine on injured reserve, ending his season.

A year removed from tearing his ACL during his senior year at Florida State, Carradine was activated off the reserve/NFI list in October, but had yet to be active. The No. 40 overall pick of April's draft, Carradine wasn't selected with contributing in 2013 in mind. It's unclear where his knee is at, but in theory, Carradine should be a full participant in the 49ers' offseason program. He'll likely begin 2014 as a situational pass rusher.

49ers activated DE Tank Carradine (ACL surgery) from the reserve/PUP list.

49ers placed DE Tank Carradine (ACL surgery), DE Quinton Dial (undisclosed), OT Luke Marquardt (foot) and CB Eric Wright (undisclosed) on the reserve/NFI list.

The NFI list works just like the PUP list, meaning none of the four will be eligible to return until Week 7. Carradine wasn't close to practicing as of three weeks ago, and could spend the entire season stashed away. The 49ers didn't disclose Wright's injury upon signing him August 8. We haven't heard a peep on Dial since May.

49ers second-round DE Tank Carradine (ACL surgery) is not close to practicing.

Carradine opened camp on the active/PUP list, and may stay on reserve/PUP into the season. Viewed internally as the 49ers' heir apparent to RE Justin Smith, Carradine's rehab has been "slowed down" by club medical staff since running a 4.93 forty just before the draft. Reserve/PUP would cost him six games.

The Sacramento Bee considers 49ers second-round pick Tank Carradine a defensive end rather than outside linebacker.

We've also seen CSN Bay Area list Carradine at end rather than rush 'backer. On the Sac Bee's post-OTAs depth chart, Carradine is listed as the third-team right end behind Justin Smith and Demarcus Dobbs. Carradine didn't participate in any spring drills while recovering from the November tear of his right ACL.