49ers Roster Cuts Including DT Darnell Dockett

Update:

The San Francisco 49ers announced Friday that they’ve cut six players, as they work to get their roster down to 53 players by Saturday.

The 49ers have either released or waived:

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Rand Getlin reports that the 49ers have released LB Philip Wheeler on Friday.

Getlin adds that Wheeler  has been dealing with a hamstring issue most of camp, but is now healthy.

In 2014, Wheeler appeared in 15 games and recorded 45 tackles for the Dolphins. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 18 outside linebacker in a 4-3 system out of 40 qualifying players.

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Pro Football Talk, citing a league source, reports that the 49ers have released DT Darnell Dockett.

  • Ian Rapoport wonders if Dockett could return to the Cardinals now that he’s being released.
  • Adam Caplan points out that $2 million of Dockett’s $3.25 million base salary is fully guaranteed for 2015. However, the 49ers will avoid paying him a $250,000 roster bonus for in Week 1.

Dockett, 34, sustained a torn ACL and MCL that he sustained during a preseason practice in August of last year and wound up sitting out the entire season.

San Francisco later signed him to a two-year $7.5 million contract before the start of free agency.

In 2013, Dockett recorded 46 tackles and 4.5 sacks over the course of 16 games for the Cardinals. That year, Pro Football Focus rated him as the No. 30 defensive end in a 3-4 defense out of 45 qualifying players.

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