Pierre Garcon
WR FA
Thu 2/14/19 9:18 AM

The 49ers informed Garcon on Thursday that they won't exercise his $6 million team option for 2019, allowing him to become a free agent in March, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
EDGE Analysis
The transaction only clears $1.53 million in cap space for the 49ers, but that provided enough of a benefit for the team to part ways with an aging wideout who missed 16 of 32 games due to injury during his two seasons in San Francisco. Set to turn 33 years old in August, Garcon will most likely have to settle for a one-year deal on the open market and probably won't be counted on to fill much more than a depth role with his next team.

Pierre Garcon
WR FA
Tue 1/29/19 2:02 PM

The 49ers aren't expected to exercise the team option on Garcon's (knee) contract for the 2019 season, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
EDGE Analysis
Garcon has had an injury-laden two years with the 49ers, residing on injured reserve both times for significant stretches. In 2018, a knee injury was to blame, and the 32-year-old managed to haul in just 24 of his 46 targets for 286 yards and one touchdown in eight games. Considering his age and the potential hit to the team's salary cap for the upcoming campaign ($6 million), Garcon is a good bet to join the free-agent market before the new league year kicks off March 13.

Pierre Garcon
WR FA
Thu 1/24/19 4:36 PM

Coach Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday that Garcon (knee) isn't expected to return to the 49ers for the 2019 season, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
EDGE Analysis
Garcon has landed on IR in both of his campaigns in San Francisco, missing the final eight games of 2017 with a neck issue and eight more contests this past season due to shoulder and knee injuries. As a result, the 32-year-old hasn't come close to upholding the five-year, $47.5 million contract he signed two offseasons ago. The 49ers hold a team option for each of the final three years of the deal, which Shanahan and general manager John Lynch don't seem keen on picking up. Expect a decision to be made on Garcon's future prior to the start of the new league year on March 13.

Pierre Garcon
WR FA
Mon 12/10/18 7:23 PM

Garcon will undergo season-ending arthroscopic knee surgery and be placed on injured reserve this week, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
EDGE Analysis
For the second time in as many campaigns with the 49ers, Garcon is landing on IR, ensuring his least productive year (24-286-1) since he was a rookie in 2008. Overall, he accounted for 64 catches (on 113 targets) for 786 yards and one touchdown in 16 games while working with an array of quarterbacks. While Garcon is under contract with San Francisco through the 2021 season, the 32-year-old wide receiver could be a roster casualty in the offseason as a means to free up cap space.

Pierre Garcon
WR FA
Fri 12/7/18 4:51 PM

The 49ers ruled out Garcon (knee) for Sunday's contest versus the Broncos, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Garcon hasn't demonstrated an ability to get healthy for the better part of two months, and a knee injury will keep him on the sideline Sunday for the fifth time in six games. With Marquise Goodwin back from his personal issue, the 49ers' receiving corps will be nearly intact. Behind Goodwin, expect Dante Pettis and Kendrick Bourne to continue seeing significant snap counts in Garcon's absence.

Pierre Garcon
WR FA
Thu 12/6/18 6:10 PM

Garcon (knee) didn't practice Thursday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
EDGE Analysis
Perhaps Garcon was taking a test run of his knee with his limited showing at Wednesday's practice, but his downgrade to no participation Thursday isn't a good sign that a return is possible Sunday against the Broncos. If he's ruled out on Friday's injury report, it would mark his fifth absence in six games. In such a scenario, Marquise Goodwin and Dante Pettis would serve as the top wide receivers for Nick Mullens versus Denver's 23rd-ranked pass defense (260.8 yards per game).

Pierre Garcon
WR FA
Thu 12/6/18 4:17 PM

Garcon (knee) wasn't on the field for the media-access portion of Thursday's practice, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
EDGE Analysis
Garcon appeared to increase his odds of avoiding a fourth straight absence Sunday against the Broncos when he opened the week as a limited practice participant, but his lack of activity a day later once again puts his gameday status in jeopardy. It's possible the 49ers were deliberately building in a rest day for the veteran, but unless Garcon practices fully Friday, he'll more than likely carry a designation for Week 14. Even if Garcon ultimately gains clearance to suit up this weekend, it wouldn't be surprising if he played a more limited role than usual with Marquise Goodwin (personal) set to return from a two-game absence and rookie Dante Pettis having made a case for increased snaps through his standout play the past two weeks.

Pierre Garcon
WR FA
Wed 12/5/18 5:42 PM

Garcon (knee) practiced in a limited fashion Wednesday, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
EDGE Analysis
Before he was ruled out for a third consecutive game last week, Garcon maintained limited listings on practice reports, so progressing to a full showing would be the most definitive development that a return is possible this weekend. He'll have two more opportunities to do just that before the 49ers will be mandated to post his odds to play Sunday against the Broncos. If he's able to, Garcon will have to contend with fellow wideout Marquise Goodwin, who missed the last two contests due to a personal issue.

Pierre Garcon
WR FA
Fri 11/30/18 4:47 PM

Garcon (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game in Seattle, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
With Garcon and Marquise Goodwin (personal) both missing another game, the 49ers will continue to rely on Dante Pettis, Kendrick Bourne and Richie James at wide receiver. Garcon did manage limited practice participation this week, suggesting he could be back for a Dec. 9 game against the Broncos.

Pierre Garcon
WR FA
Thu 11/29/18 8:18 PM

Garcon (knee) was a limited practice participant Thursday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
While he's maintained his activity level in both practices this week, Garcon may be building toward his first game action since Nov. 1. He has one more session to fit in every rep, at which point his availability will be included on the 49ers' final Week 13 injury report. In a receiving corps with another question mark in Marquise Goodwin (personal), the trio of Dante Pettis, Kendrick Bourne and Richie James could be Nick Mullens' primary options yet again Sunday at Seattle.