Niners place two-time Pro-Bowl C Newberry on IR

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The San Francisco 49ers put center Jeremy Newberry on injured reserve Wednesday, eight days after the two-time Pro Bowl center had surgery to repair his damaged left knee.

Newberry is on injured reserve for the third consecutive season and the fourth time in nine years with the 49ers. He missed 21 of San Francisco's 32 games the past two seasons because of back and knee problems, and his latest injuries could force his retirement.

Newberry underwent major microfracture surgery on his right knee late last year. After rehabilitating during the offseason, Newberry said he was the healthiest he has been in several years when training camp began in July.

But he began experiencing problems in both knees during the first week of summer practice before a MRI exam revealed deteriorating cartilage in his left knee -- the same problem that affected his right knee. Newberry had the same microfracture surgery on his left knee Aug. 15.

Eric Heitmann, San Francisco's starting center for most of the past two seasons, will keep his job in Newberry's absence.

Newberry is the second San Francisco player to go on IR this summer, joining first-year linebacker Andre Torrey, who tore knee ligaments earlier this month.