San Francisco 49ers release wide receiver Braylon Edwards
Braylon Edwards' tenure with the 49ers ended abruptly Tuesday, as the team released the injury-plagued, unproductive wide receiver.
Edwards announced his release at 7 a.m. with a statement on his website. Looking to clinch the NFC's No. 2 seed and a first-round playoff bye, the 49ers are thin at wide receiver and tight end heading into Sunday's regular-season finale at St. Louis (2-13).
Michael Crabtree and seldom-used Brett Swain are the 49ers' only healthy wide receivers. Crabtree has a team-high 64 catches for 788 yards and two touchdowns. Swain has one catch for 9 yards.
Ginn missed Saturday's game because
The 49ers might consider promoting wide receivers Joe Hastings or John Matthews from their practice squad. Edwards had only 15 receptions for 181 yards and no touchdowns in nine games, five of which he started for the NFC West-champion 49ers (12-3). Edwards' downfall stemmed from a right knee injury suffered in a Sept. 18 overtime loss to Dallas. In Saturday's 19-17 victory at Seattle, Edwards didn't enter the game until the 49ers' second series, and he was used primarily as the No. 3 receiver behind Crabtree and Williams. Edwards caught one pass for 9 yards and was called for two penalties: an illegal block on Frank Gore's run to the Seahawks' 3-yard line and a pass-interference call on the first play of the 49ers' eventual go-ahead scoring drive.
Harbaugh cited Edwards' showings in practice and games for his last benching.
Edwards and Joshua Morgan were the 49ers' starting wide receivers in their season-opening win over Seattle. During that disclosure, Edwards suggested that his primary goal was to get healthy for the playoffs.
Brian Waters was released by the Chiefs during training camp because of his advancing age and declining play.Waters was then picked up by the New England Patriots in September, and he is now headed to his sixth Pro Bowl.Waters was one of eight Patriots chosen Tuesday for the game, which will be Jan. 29 in Honolulu.The Patriots have used seven different starting lineups this season on the offensive line, but the one constant has been Waters at right guard. He has started all 15 games and has been on the field for 985 of the Patriots’ 1,003 snaps on offense.“If you’ve been around here this year, the one thing that you should know — and again, it goes to the depth of this football team, and the professionalism of this football team — is, you never know when it’s your turn,” Waters said recently. “If you’re dressed, you prepare all week. You’ve got to be prepared to play, no matter what position you’re in, no matter where you are on the depth chart.”The San Francisco 49ers will also send eight players to the Pro Bowl, including former Missouri defensive end Justin Smith.New England’s Tom Brady and Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers will be the starters at quarterback.“It does have special significance, because when I was voted in in 2009, I was the third guy and I was very thankful to be voted in, and got the opportunity to start because of some injuries and guys not going,” Rodgers said. “It’s great to be voted in as a starter, that means a lot to me and it’s a special honor.” Four of the NFL’s biggest headline makers this season did not get voted in by players, coaches and fans: Lions DT Ndamukong Suh, Steelers LB James Harrison, Panthers rookie QB Cam Newton, and Denver QB Tim Tebow. Suh might have lost support after drawing a two-game suspension for stomping an opponent, and Harrison’s one-game suspension for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Browns QB Colt McCoy might have reduced his support. Other NFL news •The San Francisco 49ers have released receiver Braylon Edwards. Edwards had 15 catches for 181 yards and no touchdowns in eight games with five starts for the 49ers after receiving a $3.5 million, one-year contract in August.•HBO’s Bill Maher is catching heat from conservatives and some fans for a tweet ridiculing Denver’s Tim Tebow performance Saturday in a lopsided loss to the Bills. Maher’s tweet includes profane language and divisive references to Tebow’s religious beliefs. Eric Bolling of Fox News responded to Maher by calling him “disgusting vile trash.” Tebow didn’t respond to Maher, but some Tebow fans called for a mass cancellation of HBO subscriptions.•Washington has released running back Ryan Torain, who started four games this season but fell behind rookies Roy Helu and Evan Royster on the depth chart. Torain, a Shawnee Mission Northwest graduate, rushed for only 200 yards this year, with 135 coming in the win over the St. Louis Rams on Oct. 2.
Braylon Edwards Cut: 49ers Release Wideout
SAN FRANCISCO — Struggling wide receiver Braylon Edwards was released by the San Francisco 49ers following surgery on his right knee earlier this season that limited him.
The 49ers confirmed Edwards' release.
Harbaugh has said Edwards' performance in games and practice affected his playing time.
Edwards revealed in late November he also was dealing with a shoulder injury sustained in the fourth quarter of a 19-11 win at Washington on Nov. 6.
In a 16-6 loss on Thanksgiving night at Baltimore to Harbaugh's big brother, John, a second-quarter miscommunication between Edwards and quarterback Alex Smith on a deep throw to the end zone resulted in an interception. The 49ers didn't score a touchdown for the first time all season.
That lack of production became a bigger deal after the team lost Joshua Morgan to a season-ending leg injury Oct. 9 against Tampa Bay. Edwards made 53 receptions for 904 yards and seven touchdowns last season for the Jets and was determined to build on that with his new team. Then the injury delayed his progress.
Edwards made it clear when he discussed the shoulder injury that he hadn't returned to full speed or full strength since the knee injury.
"I'm playing through a football season. Last Tuesday, after a commanding 20-3 Monday night win over Pittsburgh, tight end Vernon Davis tweeted his support of Edwards and later said he was trying to step up as a leader.
Braylon Edwards' tenure with the 49ers ended abruptly Tuesday, as the team released the injury-plagued, unproductive wide receiver.
Edwards announced his release at 7 a.m. with a statement on his website. Looking to clinch the NFC's No. 2 seed and a first-round playoff bye, the 49ers are thin at wide receiver and tight end heading into Sunday's regular-season finale at St. Louis (2-13).
Michael Crabtree and seldom-used Brett Swain are the 49ers' only healthy wide receivers. Crabtree has a team-high 64 catches for 788 yards and two touchdowns. Swain has one catch for 9 yards.
Ginn missed Saturday's game because
The 49ers might consider promoting wide receivers Joe Hastings or John Matthews from their practice squad. Edwards had only 15 receptions for 181 yards and no touchdowns in nine games, five of which he started for the NFC West-champion 49ers (12-3). Edwards' downfall stemmed from a right knee injury suffered in a Sept. 18 overtime loss to Dallas. In Saturday's 19-17 victory at Seattle, Edwards didn't enter the game until the 49ers' second series, and he was used primarily as the No. 3 receiver behind Crabtree and Williams. Edwards caught one pass for 9 yards and was called for two penalties: an illegal block on Frank Gore's run to the Seahawks' 3-yard line and a pass-interference call on the first play of the 49ers' eventual go-ahead scoring drive.
Harbaugh cited Edwards' showings in practice and games for his last benching.
Edwards and Joshua Morgan were the 49ers' starting wide receivers in their season-opening win over Seattle. During that disclosure, Edwards suggested that his primary goal was to get healthy for the playoffs.
Brian Waters was released by the Chiefs during training camp because of his advancing age and declining play.Waters was then picked up by the New England Patriots in September, and he is now headed to his sixth Pro Bowl.Waters was one of eight Patriots chosen Tuesday for the game, which will be Jan. 29 in Honolulu.The Patriots have used seven different starting lineups this season on the offensive line, but the one constant has been Waters at right guard. He has started all 15 games and has been on the field for 985 of the Patriots’ 1,003 snaps on offense.“If you’ve been around here this year, the one thing that you should know — and again, it goes to the depth of this football team, and the professionalism of this football team — is, you never know when it’s your turn,” Waters said recently. “If you’re dressed, you prepare all week. You’ve got to be prepared to play, no matter what position you’re in, no matter where you are on the depth chart.”The San Francisco 49ers will also send eight players to the Pro Bowl, including former Missouri defensive end Justin Smith.New England’s Tom Brady and Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers will be the starters at quarterback.“It does have special significance, because when I was voted in in 2009, I was the third guy and I was very thankful to be voted in, and got the opportunity to start because of some injuries and guys not going,” Rodgers said. “It’s great to be voted in as a starter, that means a lot to me and it’s a special honor.” Four of the NFL’s biggest headline makers this season did not get voted in by players, coaches and fans: Lions DT Ndamukong Suh, Steelers LB James Harrison, Panthers rookie QB Cam Newton, and Denver QB Tim Tebow. Suh might have lost support after drawing a two-game suspension for stomping an opponent, and Harrison’s one-game suspension for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Browns QB Colt McCoy might have reduced his support. Other NFL news •The San Francisco 49ers have released receiver Braylon Edwards. Edwards had 15 catches for 181 yards and no touchdowns in eight games with five starts for the 49ers after receiving a $3.5 million, one-year contract in August.•HBO’s Bill Maher is catching heat from conservatives and some fans for a tweet ridiculing Denver’s Tim Tebow performance Saturday in a lopsided loss to the Bills. Maher’s tweet includes profane language and divisive references to Tebow’s religious beliefs. Eric Bolling of Fox News responded to Maher by calling him “disgusting vile trash.” Tebow didn’t respond to Maher, but some Tebow fans called for a mass cancellation of HBO subscriptions.•Washington has released running back Ryan Torain, who started four games this season but fell behind rookies Roy Helu and Evan Royster on the depth chart. Torain, a Shawnee Mission Northwest graduate, rushed for only 200 yards this year, with 135 coming in the win over the St. Louis Rams on Oct. 2.
Braylon Edwards Cut: 49ers Release Wideout
SAN FRANCISCO — Struggling wide receiver Braylon Edwards was released by the San Francisco 49ers following surgery on his right knee earlier this season that limited him.
The 49ers confirmed Edwards' release.
Harbaugh has said Edwards' performance in games and practice affected his playing time.
Edwards revealed in late November he also was dealing with a shoulder injury sustained in the fourth quarter of a 19-11 win at Washington on Nov. 6.
In a 16-6 loss on Thanksgiving night at Baltimore to Harbaugh's big brother, John, a second-quarter miscommunication between Edwards and quarterback Alex Smith on a deep throw to the end zone resulted in an interception. The 49ers didn't score a touchdown for the first time all season.
That lack of production became a bigger deal after the team lost Joshua Morgan to a season-ending leg injury Oct. 9 against Tampa Bay. Edwards made 53 receptions for 904 yards and seven touchdowns last season for the Jets and was determined to build on that with his new team. Then the injury delayed his progress.
Edwards made it clear when he discussed the shoulder injury that he hadn't returned to full speed or full strength since the knee injury.
"I'm playing through a football season. Last Tuesday, after a commanding 20-3 Monday night win over Pittsburgh, tight end Vernon Davis tweeted his support of Edwards and later said he was trying to step up as a leader.
