49ers trade Balmer to Seahawks

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Defensive lineman Kentwan Balmer was traded to the Seattle Seahawks on Monday after a mysterious absence from the San Francisco 49ers over the past week.

Both teams confirmed the swap Monday and the Seahawks say they will send an undisclosed 2011 draft pick to the Niners. Balmer left the 49ers last Monday for what coach Mike Singletary called personal reasons.

Balmer, the team's first-round draft pick in 2008 out of North Carolina, missed his fifth straight practice Friday before the team traveled to Indianapolis for its exhibition opener against the Colts. Balmer's absences had been unexcused since Wednesday. Balmer met Wednesday night with Singletary, but still was a no-show at training camp.

Former 49ers general manager Scot McCloughan, who abruptly departed the club in March, was hired by the Seahawks as a senior personnel executive in June. He is the right-hand man to general manager John Schneider.

Since McCloughan and the 49ers parted ways, San Francisco's operations have been run by Trent Baalke. The 49ers scored 34 straight points and rallied to a 37-17 win over the Colts on Sunday.

On Thursday, the 49ers signed rookie free agent defensive tackle Will Tukuafu to a two-year contract to help fill the void left by Balmer's absence. Tukuafu, out of Oregon, was originally signed by the Seahawks before they released him June 22.

The 23-year-old Balmer is entering the third year of an $8 million, five-year deal he signed as a rookie. He has yet to start a game and has recorded no sacks in his first two NFL seasons. He has 11 career solo tackles and has combined on eight others in 27 games.