49ers Release Cornerback Shawntae Spencer

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Shawntae Spencer became the odd man out in San Francisco's secondary.

The 49ers released the cornerback Thursday after he spent eight seasons with the team. The 30-year-old Spencer started every game in 2009 and 2010 but appeared in only nine games with no starts for coach Jim Harbaugh and the NFC West champions last season.

On Tuesday, the 49ers signed cornerback Perrish Cox. They also have agreed on a new $31.3 million, four-year contract with Pro Bowl cornerback Carlos Rogers.

San Francisco selected Spencer in the second round of the 2004 draft, out of Pittsburgh. He has 345 career tackles, 11 interceptions, three forced fumbles and a touchdown in eight NFL seasons.