Davis is a record-setter for 49ers

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Vernon Davis has been the one constant in a season of change for the San Francisco 49ers offense.

And now he has a franchise record for tight ends to show for it.

Davis is tied for the NFL lead with 10 touchdown receptions, already the most ever by a San Francisco tight end, with four games still remaining in the season.

The fourth-year player broke the record of nine previously held by Ted Kwalik (1972) and Brent Jones (1994) with his 33-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown during last week’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

It was a performance that has become typical this season for Davis, who had a career-high 111 yards receiving during the game. While the offense around him has struggled with changing personnel and changing schemes, Davis has flourished.

“I’d feel a lot better about it if we were winning more games, but now I want to continue to move on and break more records,” Davis said.

Davis never has lacked for confidence since being selected by the 49ers with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2006 draft.

But he wasn’t always able to back up his boldness or meet his potential on the field during three inconsistent seasons after joining the team.

This year has been different. Davis has become an impact performer and one of the NFL’s top playmakers at his position, emerging as the top threat in a San Francisco offense that ranks 28th in the league.

Davis is the team’s runaway leader with 63 receptions, and his 781 yards receiving are just 44 short of the team record for a tight end. Last week’s effort was Davis’ third 100-yard receiving game of the season.

“He’s playing really well, playing really fast, making a lot of plays for us,” quarterback Alex Smith said. “He’s had time to grow and understand and develop his game, and he’s worked hard at it. I think you gain that confidence by doing it, and that takes time, but Vernon is doing it now.”