Eric Bakhtiari

Eric Bakhtiari (born December 2, 1984) is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was most recently playing for the San Francisco 49ers, but was cut from the team on January 1st, 2013. He was signed by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at San Diego.

Bakhtiari has also been a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Miami Dolphins, and Kansas City Chiefs.

College career
In 2006, he earned 3rd Team Associated Press All-America honors for all I-AA players, 1st Team Mid-Major All-American (The Sports Network), 2006 co-Pioneer Football League Defender of the Year, First Team All-Pioneer Football League. Making him a key performer of the USD defensive squad that ranked #2 in scoring defense (12.9 ppg), 10th in rushing defense (107.3 yards per game) and 12th in total defense.

First stint with Chargers
Bakhtiari signed with the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He was released by the Chargers on August 30 during final cuts, but re-signed to the practice squad on September 10 when linebacker Shawne Merriman was placed on injured reserve. He was released again on September 23.

San Francisco 49ers
Bakhtiari was signed to the practice squad of the San Francisco 49ers on October 7. He remained there through the end of the season.

Second stint with Chargers
After finishing the 2008 season on the practice squad of the 49ers, Bakhtiari was re-signed to a future contract by the San Diego Chargers on January 7, 2009.

Tennessee Titans
Bakhtiari was signed to the Tennessee Titans' practice squad on November 11, 2009. He was signed off the practice squad to active roster on December 12. He was released by the Titans on September 4, 2010.

Kansas City Chiefs
Bakhtiari was signed to the Kansas City Chiefs' practice squad on November 18, 2010. On December 3, he was released. On January 13, 2011, he signed with the Chiefs again; on August 29, however, he was waived/injured during the first round of preseason cuts and after passing through waivers unclaimed, was subsequently placed on injured reserve. After reaching an injury settlement, Bakhtiari was released. Despite being their roster for the 2010 season, he never played in a game during his tenure with the Chiefs.

Second time with 49ers
Bakhtiari was re-signed to the 49ers. He played in the preseason as a backup to compete on the 53 man roster. After the end of the 2012 Preseason, Bakhtiari was cut, on August 31, 2012, with 27 other people. However, the 49ers later decided to sign him to a two-year contract. After releasing him earlier in the year, 49ers have resigned Bakhtiari on 12/12/12 As of January 1st, 2013, Bakhtiari was released by the 49ers to create a roster spot for kicker Billy Cundiff. Cundiff was signed to compete with struggling incumbent kicker David Akers.

Personal
Bakhtiari is of Iranian descent. His younger brother David is an offensive lineman, who played at Colorado (2009–2012).