The 49ers on Friday released defensive end Elvis Dumervil, who led the team in sacks last season but who was due a $500,000 bonus on Tuesday, the day before free agency.
The 49ers added Dumervil, 34, late in free agency last year -- June 5 -- to be their best third-down pass rusher. The longtime Raven and Bronco lived up to that expectation, but he played only on third-and-long situations and didn't appear on special teams. The 49ers are hoping holdovers Arik Armstead, Eli Harold, Cassius Marsh and Pita Taumoepenu provide more consistent pressure from the edge this year.