Millen Signs With 49ers, Is Expected to Play Sunday Against Buccaneers

SANTA CLARA —  The San Francisco 49ers Thursday signed Pro Bowl linebacker Matt Millen to a one-year contract, and Coach George Seifert said Millen would play Sunday when the 49ers meet the Buccaneers at Tampa, Fla.

Millen, a 10-year veteran from Penn State, was released Sept. 4 by the Raiders. He worked out Wednesday with the 49ers, and his signing came as no surprise.

To make room for Millen, the 49ers released second-year defensive lineman Kevin Lilly.

“We’re all aware of the type of player that Millen has been,” Seifert said. “We refer to him as a thumper-type inside linebacker, as far as taking on guards and making plays.

“He was available to us, it’s a long, grueling tough season and he seemed liked somebody who can give our defense an overall hand.”

The 49er coach said that Millen probably would see limited action against the Buccaneers.

“I would expect him to play in specific situations, like on first or second down,” Seifert said. “It’s just a matter of him getting a feel for our system, and I don’t believe it will be that difficult because there are a number of similarities with the Raiders in our style.”

Millen, who said he had narrowed his decision between several teams, said that the recent success of the 49ers had a lot to do with his decision.