Quotables: Jim Harbaugh takes stand on domestic violence, Brian Waters waves goodbye

One of the game's greatest interior linemen retires from the game, and the Patriots get used to a new offensive weapon in Tim Wright.

"I’m strongly opposed to domestic violence or violence to children, yes. It will not be tolerated."

- Jim Harbaugh on Ray McDonald's recent arrest for domestic violence

49ers defensive end Ray McDonald was arrested early Sunday morning on felony domestic violence charges for allegedly assaulting his pregnant fiance, just days after NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced sweeping changes to the league's policy on domestic abuse.

Coach Jim Harbaugh, in light of the NFL's new policy and the 49ers' ongoing offseason drama, wasted no time in commenting on the situation. Harbaugh went on record saying he wasn't going to tolerate this type of behavior on his team and would not allow a player guilty of domestic violence on his team, per Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area:

"You ask me how I feel about domestic violence. I can be very clear about that. If someone physically abuses a woman and/or physically or mentally abuses or hurts a child, then there’s no understanding. There’s no tolerance for that."

The immediate question for the 49ers is what to do with McDonald in advance of Sunday's season opener against the Dallas Cowboys. McDonald is allowed to practice with the team, yet there seems to be at least some media pressure on the 49ers to potentially deactivate McDonald for the game.

McDonald is scheduled to appear in Santa Clara Superior Court on Sept. 15.

"If the rest of my life can be half as good as the last 15 I’ll be one of the luckiest people on Earth."

- Brian Waters on his retirement from football

Six-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman Brian Waters officially announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday. Waters spent 11 seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, one with the New England Patriots, and his final season in 2013 with the Dallas Cowboys.

He was one of the best offensive lineman of his era, anchoring a Chiefs line from 2000-10 that paved the way for the sixth-most rushing yards of any team in that span. He also won the 2009 Walter Payton Man of the Year award, given annually to a player honoring his volunteer and charity work, as well as his excellence on the field.

"He’€™s working hard [and] certainly a bright kid, and has some talent that hopefully we can utilize."

- Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels on TE Tim Wright's first days with the team

New England tight end Tim Wright has only been with the team for less than a week, but has already made a positive impression on several players and coaches, including offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

According to WEEI.com's Christopher Price, McDaniels said Tuesday that he was "really impressed" with the work of Wright in his preseason debut with the team. Wright, who played 43 of the 70 snaps, had four catches for 43 yards in the Patriots' 16-13 loss to the New York Giants on Thursday.

Wright was acquired from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week along with a fourth-round draft pick in a trade for offensive lineman Logan Mankins. Wright played all 16 games for the Bucs last year, finishing with 54 catches for 571 receiving yards and five touchdowns in his rookie season.

"I’m excited about (Sunday). I can’t wait to play football."

- Arian Foster on looking forward to the season opener after sitting out the entire preseason.

Texans running back Arian Foster missed the final eight games of the 2013 season with a back injury, but told reporters on Tuesday that he feels "wonderful, physically" and is ready for Sunday's season opener against the Washington Redskins. Foster did not play in any preseason games because the Texans wanted to protect him from injury after last year's season-ending back surgery.

Foster also said on Tuesday during the team's 45-minute open locker room session that he felt he had something to prove after missing half of last season:

"I’ve been like that since I’ve been in the NFL. I’ve had to prove to myself I could play in this league. That’s part of the reason you keep that chip on your shoulder because you remember the days when you had your doubts."

When healthy, Foster is one of the top running backs in the league. During his first three full seasons from 2010-12, he led the NFL in rushing touchdowns (41) and was behind only Adrian Peterson in rushing yards (4,264). Foster has practiced hard the past few weeks and is expected to play on Sunday.

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