The San Francisco 49ers won't pick up wide receiver Pierre Garçon's option for 2019 that would have paid him about $6 million in salary and bonuses, according to a report by Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. The move saves the team $4.48 million in salary cap space, per NBC Sports Bay Area.
Breaking on @gmfb:
According to @MikeGarafolo, the @49ers will not pick up the option for 2019 on WR @PierreGarcon. pic.twitter.com/doaYudrcCu
— GMFB (@gmfb) February 14, 2019
Garçon, 32, has ended each of his two seasons in San Francisco on injured reserve. He underwent arthroscopic knee surgery after trying to play through the injury for much of this past season.
Garçon's 2017 campaign was cut in half when a neck injury forced the 49ers to place him on injured reserve on November 4, 2017.
The 49ers signed Garçon to a five-year deal on March 9, 2017. He was part of potential trade talks in October, but nothing developed from those conversations.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan said in December that Garçon intends to continue playing. The veteran receiver registered 24 receptions for 286 yards with one touchdown through eight games during the 2018 season, his second with the 49ers. He had 64 catches for 786 yards with just a single trip to the end zone during his time in San Francisco.
Garçon spent four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and then five with the Washington Redskins before signing with the 49ers.
This news comes a day after San Francisco announced the release of backup offensive lineman Garry Gilliam in a move that saves the team $5 million.