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The 49ers released punter Mitch Wishnowsky on Wednesday and replaced him with 39-year-old Thomas Morstead. They also signed linebacker Chazz Surratt, a sign that that coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch are continuing to entrust two new coordinators with turning around languishing defensive and special teams units.
New 49ers teams coordinator Brant Boyer, who inherited the NFL’s worst unit, had already presided over the removal of long snapper Taybor Pepper. The 49ers replaced him with 39-year-old Jon Weeks, who can better help struggling kicker Jake Moody, Boyer says. Now, Wishnowsky — Moody’s former holder — is gone. Morstead, a 16-year NFL veteran who spent his past two seasons punting for Boyer with the New York Jets, has taken over for the former fourth-round draft pick.