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49ers cutting ties with former starting defensive lineman

The 49ers may not done with defensive tackle Earl Mitchell, but they are done with his contract.

Mitchell was told by San Francisco it will not pick up his option for 2019, which reportedly would have paid the 31-year-old $3.7 million this coming season.

“Earl has been a fantastic asset to this entire organization,” 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh told reporters Thursday at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. “It’s an opportunity for other guys to try to step up and it will not be easy to try to replace him, for sure.”

Mitchell took to social media Thursday to express his gratitude toward the team and his teammates.