49ers Sign Veteran LB Philip Wheeler & Cut Three Players Including Trindon Holliday

The San Francisco 49ers announced the signing of veteran LB Philip Wheeler on Thursday.

• The 49ers also released WR Trindon Holliday and placed G Fouimalo Fonoti and WR Lance Lewis on waivers.

San Francisco has an obvious need at inside linebacker after Patrick Willis and Chris Borland surprisingly retired earlier in the offseason.

The 49ers brought in Wheeler and a few other free agent inside linebackers for since Willis and Borland retired, but it seemed like they could wait until after the draft to sign anyone.

Wheeler, 30, was released by the Dolphins in a move that freed up $3 million in cap space. He signed a five-year, $26 million contract that included $13 million guaranteed with Miami a few years ago.

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.