The 49ers have forfeited their fifth-round pick in next month?s NFL draft after commissioner Roger Goodell deemed them guilty of tampering with Chicago linebacker Lance Briggs, according to an Associated Press report.

The 49ers have re-signed free-agent cornerback Donald Strickland, according to the Kansas City Star. The terms of the agreement were not released. Strickland appeared in thirteen games for San Francisco last season and has spent time with the Eagles and Colts during his six-year NFL career.

49ers head coach Mike Nolan said on Wednesday that quarterback Alex Smith is not guaranteed to earn the team's starting spot next season, according to NFL.com. "It will be an open competition," Nolan said. "It's no one's job to lose. It's both guys' job to take." "I have no favorites, I have no favorites at all," Nolan added. "You want to get the best one out there, because the players are looking. You're a football team, it's about winning. And your football team performs better when they know that jobs are won or lost on the field. That's where this will happen."

The 49ers waived receiver Darrell Jackson on Saturday after one unproductive season with the club, according to an Associated Press report. Jackson joined the 49ers in a trade last April after eight seasons with the Seahawks. He made at least one catch in each of his 15 starts but finished the season with just 46 catches for 497 yards and three touchdowns in the NFL?s least productive offense.

Wide receiver Bryant Johnson has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the 49ers, a source told ESPN.com. Johnson, an unrestricted free agent, was a first-round pick (17th overall) by the Cardinals in 2003, and had spent his entire career with the Cardinals. Last season, he had 46 receptions for 528 yards and two touchdowns.

The 49ers presumably gave Takeo Spikes a physical Thursday and are contemplating whether he would be a good fit next to Patrick Willis at middle linebacker. Spikes has had similar visits with several other clubs.

The 49ers on Thursday terminated the contract of veteran quarterback Trent Dilfer, as reported by Yahoo Sports. Dilfer started seven games for the 49ers last season after Alex Smith went down with a shoulder injury. Dilfer missed the last three contests after suffering a concussion against the Vikings in Week 14. ?Trent Dilfer is a true professional in every meaning of the word,? 49ers' Coach Mike Nolan said. ?He is one of the most respected players in the league for good reason."

The 49ers signed running back DeShaun Foster, quarterback J.T. O?Sullivan and linebacker Dontarrious Thomas, adding free-agent depth at three key positions, as reported by the Associated Press on Monday.

The San Francisco 49ers have locked up defensive end Justin Smith with a six-year deal worth $45 million, according to ESPN.com's Michael Smith. Smith, who played with the Bengals for the first seven years of his career, had the franchise tag placed on him by Cincinnati heading into the 2007 season. The deal also has $20 million in guaranteed money.