A person familiar with the negotiations says the San Francisco 49ers have reached agreement on a five-year contract with defensive lineman Ray McDonald. The person spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press on Wednesday because free agent deals can't become official - or be formally announced - until Friday.||||||| McDonald was high on new general manager Trent Baalke's list of players to bring back for 2011 and beyond. He could become a starter at defensive end depending on how the roster shakes out. The 26-year-old McDonald has started only nine games in his first four NFL seasons, all in 2008. He recorded 19 tackles last season for San Francisco (6-10) and returned his lone interception 31 yards for his first career touchdown.

McDonald has pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence. San Mateo County Assistant District Attorney Karen Guidotti said Thursday that McDonald's attorney entered the plea on the player's behalf on Monday. Guidotti says a pretrial conference has been set for Sept. 28 and a jury trial for Oct. 18, if he does not resolve the case.||||||| McDonald was arrested June 12 after a California Highway Patrol officer pulled him over in his black BMW on Interstate 280 for allegedly driving 94 mph. His blood-alcohol content was not released. McDonald publicly apologized after he was booked into a Redwood City jail. If convicted, the 25-year-old could face a maximum of six months in jail.