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The San Francisco 49ers announced they have signed LB Dekoda Watson to a three-year deal.
Watson (6-2, 245), a seven-year veteran, has played in 89 games (seven starts) and registered 88 tackles, four sacks, four passes defensed, four fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles to go along with 50 special teams tackles. In 2016, he played in nine games for the Denver Broncos where he finished with six tackles and a team-high 11 special teams tackles.
Watson was originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the seventh round (217th overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft. He spent four seasons (2010-13) with Tampa Bay before signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars on March 12, 2014. He appeared in nine games with the Jaguars before his release from the team on November 11, 2014. Watson then signed with the Dallas Cowboys on November 14, 2014, where he spent the remainder of the season, appearing in one regular season and two postseason games for the Cowboys. In 2015, he appeared in three regular season games with the New England Patriots in addition to two postseason contests. He signed with the Broncos on May 16, 2016.
A 29-year-old native of Aiken, SC, Watson* *played collegiately at Florida State University for four seasons (2006-09). He appeared in 47 games (32 starts) at FSU and finished his career with 184 tackles, 11.5 sacks, two interceptions, 10 passes defensed and three fumble recoveries. As a senior in 2009, Watson registered 65 tackles, 6.5 sacks, one pass defensed and one fumble recovery while earning Second-Team All-ACC honors.