The 49ers on Monday released veteran offensive lineman Zane Beadles after two seasons with the team.
Beadles, 31, played all over San Francisco’s offensive line after being brought in to play guard in 2016. He wound up getting time at tackle due to injuries and working as the second-team center late in 2017.
“Zane is a consummate professional and has represented our organization with exceptional class,” 49ers general manager John Lynch wrote in a statement.
“He is an unselfish guy who stepped up in a big way for our team last year and we can’t thank him enough for all his contributions to the organization and our community. Zane is just the kind of player and person we would always be open to welcoming back down the road, but releasing him now provides ample opportunity to find the right situation with his next team. We wish him and his family all the best as he moves forward in his career.”
Beadles broke camp as the team’s starting left guard last season after the 49ers lost 2016 first-round pick Joshua Garnett to an August knee injury. But Beadles lost his job Week 2 to Laken Tomlinson, a 2015 first-round pick, who was acquired in trade with Detroit prior to Week 1.
Garnett is expected back healthy and roughly 25 pounds lighter than he was last summer. The team also signed former first-round pick Jonathan Cooper to compete with one of the guard spots flanking new center Weston Richburg, who was brought at the start of the new league year to replace Daniel Kilgore, who was traded to the Dolphins.
San Francisco is expecting former undrafted free agent Erik Magnuson to compete for a roster spot after impressing as a rookie in 2017. Magnuson also began as a guard before getting time at center. He replaced Trent Brown at right tackle after Brown suffered his season-ending shoulder injury. Releasing Beadles is a strong indication the 49ers prefer Magnuson, who is younger and a cheaper option.
Beadles’ release gives the 49ers two open spots on the 90-man offseason roster.
