The 49ers have signed Pears to a two-year deal, ESPN.com reports. Pears, who spent the past five seasons with the Bills, is a candidate to compete for the 49ers' starting left guard spot, in the wake of Mike Iupati's free agent departure. The 32-year-old lineman can also provide the team with depth at right tackle behind starter Anthony Davis.

WGR 55O Buffalo believes Bills OT Erik Pears could be the odd man out on the 53-man roster if rookie Cyrus Kouandjio has a strong preseason and camp. Pears has started 39 games over the past three seasons, but was a well-below average right tackle in 2013. Kouandjio is the favorite for starting duties, though a shaky August could leave the door open for Pears to remain on the roster as an insurance policy.

Erik Pears is expected to open the season as the Bills' starting right tackle. Chris Hairston would be the pick if not for a foot/ankle injury that has sidelined him all of training camp. His return date is unknown. A journeyman, 31-year-old Pears graded out 62nd among 80 qualifiers in Pro Football Focus' 2012 tackle ratings. Buffalo's shaky O-Line is more of a concern for its passing than ground game because C.J. Spiller can create his own running room.

Bills RT Erik Pears returned to the field on Tuesday. After battling groin problems dating back to last season, Pears has been doing individual position drills for a few weeks. Finally healthy, he was rotated in with the first-team at right tackle on Tuesday. Although Pears was considered a candidate for release coming into OTAs, his presence is needed since the Bills have been hit with a rash of injuries at offensive tackle. Chris Hairston remains the favorite to start once healthy.

WGR 550 Buffalo calls Bills RT Erik Pears a cap casualty candidate this summer. Pears, 31 next month, has two years left on a four-year, $9.8 million contract, and he is set to count $2.8 million against the cap in 2013. He's an above-average pass protector, but Pears, at 6-foot-8 and 314 pounds, doesn't move many bodies in the run game. Chris Hairston is likely to take over at right tackle.

Bills placed RT Erik Pears (hip) on injured reserve, ending his season. Pears was sent to see a specialist last week after developing complications in his surgically-repaired hip. He started the first seven games, but struggled in particular as a run-blocker while playing at less than 100 percent. Chris Hairston will step in as the starter opposite Cordy Glenn.

Bills RT Erik Pears (hip) has been downgraded to out for Sunday's game against the Texans. Pears won't even make the trip to Houston with his teammates. Buffalo has been one of the most banged up offensive lines in the league this season. LT Cordy Glenn (ankle, questionable) is expected to return this week though, so Chris Hairston will slide over to right tackle.

Bills RT Erik Pears (hernia surgery) has been "full go" in practice since Monday. He's expected to play the opener after missing the majority of August. Ryan Fitzpatrick was the least sacked QB in the league last season, but that's primarily a function of Chan Gailey's quick-passing attack. The Bills O-Line has three starters returning from injury in addition to rookie Cordy Glenn at left tackle. Cue the Jets D/ST in fantasy this week.

Bills RT Erik Pears (hernia surgery) is expected to return to practice next week. Pears was never in danger of missing Week 1. He'll quickly retake the starting right tackle gig from fill-in Chris Hairston. Second-round rookie Cordy Glenn is tentatively expected to man Ryan Fitzpatrick's blind side.

Bills RT Erik Pears (hernia surgery) won't participate in football activities before training camp. The Bills haven't offered a firm timeline for Pears' return - or when his surgery was, for that matter - so it's unclear if he'll be 100 percent for camp. As of yet, there's been nothing to suggest he won't be ready for Week 1.