SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 25 (UPI) -- Running back Rashaan Salaam has been dumped by the San Francisco 49ers.
The release short-circuits Salaam's plans to resuscitate his foundering NFL career. He won the coveted Heisman Trophy in 1994 while at Colorado, and had a huge rookie season with the Chicago Bears, but has struggled since a season-ending right leg fracture and torn ankle ligaments in 1997.
This preseason, after a two-year layoff, he had 70 yards on 22 carriers, and got praise from Coach Dennis Erickson.
""Rashaan looked good and had an outstanding camp with us," Erickson said. "He's got every reason to be proud of himself. I think he can play in the NFL, but with Garrison Hearst, Kevan Barlow and Jamal Robertson, it was just a numbers thing around here. Hopefully the opportunity we gave him helps him find a job with another team."
Salaam, who also has played for Raiders, Cleveland and Green Bay, and Memphis in the now-defunct XFL, has not played in the NFL since 1999.
