Former USC offensive lineman Jeff Bregel, who...

Former USC offensive lineman Jeff Bregel, who came to the San Francisco 49ers’ camp early and was expected to contend for a starting job at right guard this year, announced his retirement.

Bregel also walked out of summer camp last August, saying that his back was injured and that he wanted to retire. He returned to camp and started the first three games of the season before he was replaced by Guy McIntyre in the fourth game.

Bregel reacted by skipping practice and was suspended without pay Sept. 29. He was placed on injured reserve Oct. 4 because of his back and underwent disk surgery Nov. 28, finishing the season on injured reserve.

Bregel, a second-round draft pick in 1987, recently signed a contract and was scheduled to make $200,000 this season.