Shawntae Spencer is out in San Francisco.
Spencer, a cornerback who has spent his entire eight-year career in San Francisco, was released today, in a move that frees up $3.3 million under the 49ers’ salary cap.
“The 49ers would like to thank Shawntae for his eight years of service to the organization and the Bay Area community,” 49ers G.M. Trent Baalke said in a statement. “He has always represented himself, his family and this organization with the utmost class. We wish him, and his family, the very best.”
The 30-year-old Spencer started all 16 games for two straight seasons in 2009 and 2010, but in 2011 he was largely phased out of the defense, appearing in just nine games and starting none. Spencer said late in the postseason that he felt like the 49ers dumped him, and in February the 49ers gave him permission to seek a trade. Now he’s free to sign anywhere he’d like.
UPDATE: Spencer told Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com that he heard from the Texans within minutes of his release becoming official.
