San Francisco 49ers

49ers linebacker Brooks leaves team because of family reasons

Published Oct. 7, 2015 6:05 p.m. ET

foxsports

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks was not with the team Wednesday due to family reasons.

First-year coach Jim Tomsula offered no explanation as to Brooks' absence or his potential return, although he said the team is keeping the former Pro Bowler “in our prayers.”

Brooks is coming off his best game of the season, registering five tackles and a sack in Sunday's 17-3 loss to the Green Bay Packers. On Sept. 29, Brooks pleaded not guilty to sexual battery in connection with an incident stemming from a party at former teammate Ray McDonald's house in December.

San Francisco may have had an inkling something was amiss with Brooks. On Tuesday, they traded center Nick Easton and a sixth-round draft pick to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for linebacker Gerald Hodges.

Tomsula: Ahmad Brooks is away from team today for "family reasons." He declined to speculate on potential return. #49ers
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) October 7, 2015