SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers recently signed center Eric Heitmann to a contract extension, keeping the longtime starter with the club through 2011.

The 49ers confirmed the extension today for Heitmann, a former seventh-round draft pick from Stanford. He has started 89 games at three line positions over seven seasons with San Francisco, winning the Bobb McKittrick award as the club's top lineman in each of the past two seasons.

Heitmann has played well this season after struggling through part of 2007 while recovering from a broken leg, which ended his 2006 campaign two games early. He has been singled out for praise from San Francisco's coaches despite playing on a line that has allowed a league-high 29 sacks, leading to offensive line coach George Warhop's firing along with coach Mike Nolan.

Heitmann, who would have been a free agent after the season, also started at left guard and right guard earlier in his career in San Francisco.