The 49ers on Saturday released Quinton Dial, a two-year starter along the defensive line but someone who was not a good fit in their new scheme.
Dial started 26 games over the last two seasons. Unlike nearly every other starter on the team, he played in Thursday’s finale and didn’t even get to start. That honor went to rookie nose tackle D.J. Jones and defensive tackle Chris Jones. Dial had played both positions in the offseason.
The move means it’s likely that D.J. Jones, a sixth-round pick out of Ole Miss, will make the squad.
Dial was a fifth-round selection in the 2015 draft.