Update: The 49ers officially announced the release of Ellington at 10:45 a.m. PT. No corresponding roster move was announced by the team, leaving one available spot on the 90-man roster.
Ellington spent the 2016 season on injured reserve following a torn hamstring suffered in a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers.
Ellington was drafted out of South Carolina by the 49ers in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. Used primarily as a returner on special teams, where he has 1,604 return yards, he only has 19 receptions for 215 yards and two touchdowns receiving throughout his two active seasons in the league.
The 49ers have a lot of competition at wide receiver. Pierre Garçon and Marquise Goodwin look to be starters on the outside while Jeremy Kerley looks like a strong candidate for the slot receiver role. Behind them are a lot of young players, including fifth-round draft pick Trent Taylor, competing for the remaining spots, which likely made Ellington expendable.
Related News
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers coach Kyle Shanahan admits car accident was his fault, corrects initial report
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan met with reporters on Tuesday in his office, marking his first media availability since the July 14 car accident that left him with several injuries. Initial reports indicated that the other driver—a 21-year-old woman behind the... -
Bleacher Report names Mac Jones 49ers' most important contract decision heading into 2026 season
The San Francisco 49ers have one of the NFL's more enviable situations at quarterback heading into the 2026 season. Brock Purdy is firmly established as the team's starter, but the 49ers also have a proven backup in Mac Jones who showed last season that he can step in and keep... -
Report: 49ers work out veteran edge rusher Ogbo Okoronkwo
The San Francisco 49ers are taking a look at another veteran option for their defensive line. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, veteran free-agent edge rusher Ogbo Okoronkwo worked out for the 49ers on Sunday. Veteran free agent edge Ogbo Okoronkwo, who played last year... -
49ers' Brock Purdy has a healthy perspective on outside criticism
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy continues to prove himself on the field, yet the criticism never seems to disappear. Perhaps that's the reality of being the final pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Despite becoming one of the NFL's highest-paid players and leading the...