Darnell Dockett Released by 49ers: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction

The San Francisco 49ers reportedly released defensive lineman Darnell Dockett on Friday as the final round of roster cuts begins in earnest.  

Pro Football Talk first reported the move, and Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network confirmed the 49ers decided to move on after signing the veteran to a two-year contract back in March.

Per Mike Florio of PFT, "the 49ers will get a dollar-for-dollar credit, up to $2 million, on whatever he earns elsewhere." The defensive end had been dealing with a rib injury, but it wasn't expected to keep him out of action once the regular season got underway.

The versatile 34-year-old veteran spent the first 11 years of his career with the Arizona Cardinals. After missing all of last season with a torn ACL, the Cardinals decided to let him go in February, and he was quickly scooped up by San Francisco.

Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com doesn't foresee the Cardinals bringing Dockett back now that he's back on the open market. 

Dockett was expected to assume a pass-rushing role with the 49ers. The team lost several notable defenders during the offseason, including defensive end Justin Smith, and the Florida State product had been pegged to provide some stability up front.

He registered 459 combined tackles, 40.5 sacks and 14 fumble recoveries in 158 career games with the Cardinals. He had failed to make a major impression since joining the 49ers, however, lacking the necessary explosiveness as he tries to fully recover from the ACL injury.

San Francisco will move forward with a defensive line rotation that includes Glenn Dorsey, Tank Carradine, Arik Armstead, Ian Williams and Quinton Dial, among others. There will likely be a lot of juggling until the staff finds a group that clicks, but Dockett became the odd man out.

All told, his track record and ability to play anywhere along the defensive line should earn him another opportunity elsewhere this season. His days as a high-impact, three-down defender are likely a thing of the past, though.