SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco 49ers have released cornerback Carlos Rogers after three seasons, an expected cost-cutting move as the NFL's free agency period begins.
Also Tuesday, kicker Phil Dawson announced on his Twitter page he had re-signed with the team as planned.
With Rogers' departure, San Francisco will clear $5.1 million in salary cap room and might decide to pursue its own free agents in safety Donte Whitner and cornerback Tarell Brown.
The 32-year-old Rogers, who missed time late in the season with a strained right hamstring, had 47 tackles and two interceptions last season. The veteran defender might have stayed if he took a pay cut. Rogers received a $31.3 million, four-year contract in March 2012 and was due to earn $6.6 million in 2014.
ESPN had first reported Rogers' pending departure.
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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org
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