Anthony Davis practices with 49ers Sunday, but not at guard

Anthony Davis practiced with the 49ers on Sunday, a day after he missed a team practice and mulled retirement.

Davis, 26, had been lining up as the 49ers’ starting right guard in recent sessions but, according to a source, had misgivings about playing that position. The website NinersNation reported Sunday that Davis no longer would play guard, but rather would stick solely to tackle.

Davis had been the 49ers’ right tackle from 2010-2014. Midway through training camp, however, he realized he would not surpass Trent Brown as the starter at right tackle and began playing guard. He started the team’s third preseason game at right guard and had been penciled in as the starter there since.

The sudden switch means Andrew Tiller will start Monday’s opener at right guard. Tiller started eight games at guard – he played both left and right guard – last year and he spent most of the offseason at right guard next to Brown. Tiller promises to see plenty of matchups Monday against the Rams’ Aarorn Donald, who is considered one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL.

Davis abruptly retired in June of 2015, returning to the 49ers before this year’s training camp. He’s listed as questionable for Monday’s game on the 49ers’ injury report, although he is not dealing with an injury.

Unlike most teams, coach Chip Kelly puts his squads through short but vigorous practices the day before games.

“We researched it when we were at Oregon and it worked for us,” Kelly said. “I know a lot of college teams have gone to it too.”

This story was originally published September 11, 2016 at 11:21 AM.