49ers news and notes, Dec. 4

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Niners right tackle Anthony Davis said Thursday that he’s still experiencing concussion symptoms after he was injured in a win against the New York Giants on Nov. 16.

Davis said the first concussion of his football-playing career left him in a “white fog” for the first several days.

“It’s not fun,” Davis said. “It’s scary when your brain’s not working like it’s supposed to and the culture of this league is 'You’re a big, tough guy.’ …

“It’s like a white fog. You look out and it’s a white fog. Just having a simple conversation. You just feel slowed down. It’s scary, but that’s only like the first three, four days that you feel the intensity of it. Each day it gets better.”

Davis was in the weight room Wednesday for the first time since he was injured, which is a sign that he’s progressing through the NFL’s concussion protocol. However, he’s still experiencing undisclosed symptoms. He smiled when asked when he began to feel like himself again.

“I’m still getting there,” he said.

Anthony Davis. Anthony Davis. Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close 49ers news and notes, Dec. 4 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Davis has bumped into 49ers co-chairman John York, who is chairman of the NFL’s Health & Safety Advisory Committee. Davis said York counseled him to not return until he was “100 percent.”

Davis said his injury hasn’t altered his perspective on his violent 9-to-5 job.

“Has it changed my outlook?” he said. “No, I always realized we put our health on the line every week. It’s up to the players to take it seriously.”

Another honor: Inside linebacker Chris Borland was named the NFC’s Defensive Rookie of the Month after he became the only player in the past 20 years to collect 70-plus tackles and two interceptions in a calendar month. Borland joined the player he is replacing, Patrick Willis, and Aldon Smith as the only 49ers linebackers to win the award.

Borland, a third-round pick, was twice named NFC Rookie of the Week in November, and he also earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his 13-tackle, two-interception performance against the Giants. His 70 tackles in five games led the NFL.

Despite starting just six of 12 games, Borland ranks 19th in the NFL with a team-high 87 tackles. His 80 tackles in six starts translates to 213 tackles over a 16-game season.

Fangio’s plan: Justin Smith, 35, said he hasn’t determined whether he’ll return in 2015 for a 15th NFL season. On Thursday, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio unveiled his strategy for keeping the All-Pro defensive tackle, who has an Anheuser-Busch logo on his left biceps.

“If I have to go to Missouri and drink a beer with him, I’ll do that,” said Fangio, who added that he doesn’t drink beer.

Offered Borland: “I’ll be on the same flight.”

Bowman update: Fangio said there remains hope that inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman (knee) can play this season, but he acknowledged that time is running out.

On Tuesday, the 49ers must activate Bowman to the 53-man roster or end his season by keeping him on the physically unable to perform list. Bowman has yet to practice and won’t do so for the rest of the week.

“The games are running out,” Fangio said. “I don’t think he’s given up, nor has anyone else. But the time … is drying up.”

Eric Branch is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer.