Darnell Dockett, Veteran Defensive Tackle And Three Time Pro-Bowler, Released From 49ers: Is His Career Over?
Darnell Dockett has been released from the roster of the San Francisco 49ers, according to ESPN. Dockett’s relationship with the 49ers was a short and costly one for San Francisco, who guaranteed Darnell $2 million of his $7.5 million two-year contract, but it will free up $3.25 million in cap space for the team, according to NFL.com.
Dockett was picked up by the 49er’s on the offseason, a move that stunned many Arizona Cardinals fans who were upset with the loss of Darnell despite his 2014 season-ending ACL tear. The Cardinals and 49ers are NFC West division rivals, and Dockett’s move after 10 years with the Cardinals seemed to be a slight to the team he had called home.
The 35-year-old Dockett had only missed two games in 10 years prior to last year’s injury, but some wonder if it was the beginning of the end for Dockett as his lengthy NFL career begins to show signs of wear and tear on his body. According to ESPN, Darnell caused some panic last week after posting on social media that he had broken a rib in the 49ers preseason game against the Denver Broncos. San Francisco coach Jim Tomsula dispelled Dockett’s claim by telling reporters Darnell had torn the cartilage of the ribs “which is treated like a contusion.” Darnell’s rib injury sidelined him for the final preseason game.
Despite two injuries in less than a year, Dockett’s release seemed to come as a surprise to many who felt Darnell would be giving San Francisco a much-needed boost on the defense. Though Dockett hadn’t played in 2014, he performed solidly during the 2013 season and was a three-time pro-bowler.
The response to Dockett’s release on Twitter was mostly shock and disbelief.
Damn why did the Niners release Dockett? I was excited to watch him play?
— Cody Barnes (@Cody_Barnes21) September 4, 2015
WHY DID THE 49ERS DROP DARNELL DOCKETT
— Jeremiah Benigno (@Jereweenie) September 4, 2015
Niners release dockett ?
— Jerk Robbins (@jerkrobbins_S2N) September 4, 2015
While many expressed hope that Darnell Dockett would be picked up by their home teams on social media, analysts are wondering if Dockett will be considered for a return to the Cardinals or a possible reunion with former Cardinals defensive coach and current Jets head coach Todd Bowles. Still, at 35-year-old, it seems one cannot rule at the possibility that Darnell Dockett’s glory days on the football field have come to an end.
What do you think? Is Darnell Dockett’s career over or will he be picked up by another team?
[Image courtesy of Michael Zagaris/Getty Images Sports.]
