49ers sign veteran pass rusher Elvis Dumervil to a two-year deal

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch announced Monday that the team has signed free agent pass rusher Elvis Dumervil. The deal is for two years, according to a report by Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Dumervil spent the first seven years of his career with the Denver Broncos, the team that drafted the linebacker in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He has spent the past four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. During his career, he has accumulated 352 tackles, 99 sacks, 23 forced fumbles, and an interception during regular-season play.

The five-time Pro Bowl (2009, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015) pass rusher is also a two-time first-team All-Pro (2009, 2014). Dumervil has had two 17-sack seasons over his 11-year career: once in 2009 with Denver and another in 2014 with Baltimore. The 2009 achievement led the league. He is one of four players to record at least 17 sacks in a season more than once since 2006, per Pro Football Focus. The others are Jared Allen, DeMarcus Ware, and J.J. Watt.

Dumervil missed the entire 2010 season with Denver after suffering a torn pectoral muscle during an August practice. He played in just eight games for Baltimore last season and started three. Dumervil missed time while dealing with a foot injury. However, he still managed to get to opposing quarterbacks three times in 2016 during his limited play. Dumervil was released by the Ravens on March 8th.

Dumervil, 33, could be a fit for the 49ers' "Leo" spot, a position reserved for a team's best pass rusher, as the team transitions to a 4-3 defense under new coordinator Robert Saleh. The 49ers have been experimenting with 2015 first-round selection Arik Armstead at that spot during offseason practices. Linebackers Aaron Lynch, who was once considered one of the premiere pass rushers in the league, and rookie Pita Taumoepenu have also been used at the position.

Dumervil is a former teammate of the 49ers' new general manager. Dumervil and Lynch played together in Denver in 2006 and 2007. He is also a former Ravens teammate of fullback Kyle Juszczyk, who was signed by the 49ers at the start of free agency, and center Jeremy Zuttah, who was acquired via a trade.