Reid, too, mulled giving up football

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Niners safety Eric Reid is readying to play another season, but he acknowledged Tuesday that he has given some thought to leaving the NFL because of the three concussions he suffered in his first two seasons.

“Everybody evaluates their own situation as far as playing this game,” Reid said to The Chronicle. “I’ve evaluated mine and I’ve decided I still want to play.”

Reid, 23, a 2013 first-round pick, said he might seek out more medical advice, but he intends to play in 2015. He has been a full participant in the team’s offseason program.

“There is a doctor that I’m looking further into and I may end up going to see,” Reid said. “Like I said, right now I’ve evaluated my situation and I feel comfortable playing.”

After this story was posted online Tuesday, Reid said on Twitter that it was an “inaccurate portrayal” of his words because they had been twisted and taken out of context. The Chronicle requested to speak with Reid so he could clarify his comments. He declined the request through a team spokesman.

In March, inside linebacker Chris Borland, 24, retired after his rookie season because of brain-trauma concerns. Borland said he had two diagnosed concussions, the last as a sophomore in high school. On Friday, right tackle Anthony Davis left the NFL after his first concussion last year sidelined him for four games and initially left him in a “white fog.” Davis said he is leaving the league for at least a season to give his “brain and body a chance to heal.”

Reid, who has said he hadn’t had a concussion before he entered the NFL, sent a text message to Borland shortly after the linebacker announced his retirement.

NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 09: Eric Reid #35 of the San Francisco 49ers is conratulated by Chris Culliver #29 following a defensive stop during the fourth quarter of a game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 9, 2014 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) less NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 09: Eric Reid #35 of the San Francisco 49ers is conratulated by Chris Culliver #29 following a defensive stop during the fourth quarter of a game against the New Orleans Saints at ... more Photo: Wesley Hitt, Getty Images Photo: Wesley Hitt, Getty Images Image 1 of / 14 Caption Close Reid, too, mulled giving up football 1 / 14 Back to Gallery

“I didn’t want to be another person tugging at him,” Reid said. “But I respect Chris’ decision. And I respect Anthony’s.”

Reid had two concussions in the first nine games of his rookie season, but didn’t miss a game. He suffered his third last year in the first quarter of a Dec. 20 loss to the Chargers. He said he was medically cleared to play in the regular-season finale against Arizona, but sat out because the 49ers had been eliminated from postseason contention.

“I just decided it wasn’t worth possibly getting another concussion for a game that wouldn’t advance us,” Reid said. “So I decided to sit that one out.”

Reid has started 31 of 32 games in a career that has included 118 tackles and seven interceptions. Reid, who played in the Pro Bowl as an alternate as a rookie, was asked Tuesday whether he would retire if he suffered a fourth concussion.

“I’m not putting a number to it,” he said. “I will continue to evaluate my own situation. If I have another concussion and I don’t feel like I can play anymore, then I won’t. If I (have another concussion), and if I feel that I still can play, then I will. It’s just a case-by-case basis.

“I know it’s a huge deal right now in the NFL and everything is being put under a microscope, but that’s how every injury is. It could be a dislocated shoulder. You evaluate your situation and see if you’re healthy enough to still play.”

The 49ers used their second-round pick in this year’s draft on Samford safety Jaquiski Tartt, a selection that came as a surprise given their depth at the position. In addition to Reid, they have safety Antoine Bethea, a three-time Pro Bowler, and cornerback/safety Jimmie Ward, their first-round pick in 2014 who re-fractured a foot in November that he first injured in college.

In May, general manager Trent Baalke said health issues surrounding Reid and Ward didn’t inspire the selection of Tartt.

“I wouldn’t say that that played a role in it,” Baalke said. “Obviously, we’re confident in both of those guys being able to stay healthy and play football for us and very high on their ability. This pick had nothing to do with those players. … It just had everything to do with the quality of player that we thought we were getting at that pick. And, it’s never a bad thing to get good at a position, or get better at a position you feel you’re good at.”

Reid, who earned more than $3.4 million in his first two seasons, graduated sixth in his 366-student high school class with a 4.6 grade-point average and left LSU after his junior season about two semesters shy of earning a degree in business administration.

He is also married with a 5-year-old daughter, but said he hasn’t been pressured by his family to retire.

“No, not all,” he said. “They’re concerned for my safety, obviously, but nobody is pressuring me into playing or not playing.”

In November 2013, shortly after Reid suffered his second concussion, his father, Eric Reid Sr., acknowledged his son had a large group of family and friends praying for his safety.

“When he chose this profession, we understood what that meant,” Reid Sr. said. “And we understood that injuries happen. We always pray that he doesn’t have any lasting injuries.”

Eric Branch is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: ebranch@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Eric_Branch