The 49ers on Thursday announced the end of Brock Coyle’s tenure in San Francisco. He was released as part of a slew of roster moves. They also announced linebacker Elijah Lee has signed his one-year exclusive rights tender.
Coyle spent the last two seasons in San Francisco and notched 10 starts in 2017. His 2018 season was cut short by a head injury and back fracture he suffered in Week 1 that landed him on injured reserve.
The signing of David Mayo likely spelled the end of Coyle’s time with the 49ers. Mayo is three years younger and fills the same reserve linebacker and special teams role that Coyle does.
Lee was very likely to return once the 49ers placed the one-year ERFA tender on him. The exclusive rights free agent designation meant Lee wouldn’t be able to negotiate with other teams once the 49ers placed that one-year tender on him. He’ll serve as a backup WILL linebacker and special teams contributor. San Francisco may need him to start in the event that newly-signed LB Kwon Alexander isn’t ready to play at the start of the regular season as he recovers from a torn ACL.
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