SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) - The San Francisco 49ers decided to let Pro Bowl linebacker Julian Peterson become an unrestricted free agent by not making him their franchise player Thursday.

The 49ers also released nine players, including receiver Johnnie Morton, cornerback Ahmed Plummer and defensive end Chris Cooper.

Peterson, who missed most of the 2004 season with a torn Achilles' tendon, was one of the team's most popular and productive players. He earned $5.289 million last season.

The free agent signing period begins March 3.

If the team used the franchise tag on Peterson as they did in 2004, he would have been guaranteed $7.169 million next season if he didn't sign a long-term deal. San Francisco could have matched any deal he signed or gotten compensation if he left with the franchise tag.

The Niners made the moves to create room under the salary cap.

Plummer, who has played two years of a five-year, $25-million contract, was due $5.5 million in 2006. He has been limited to nine games the past two seasons because of injuries.

Morton played 13 games last season, his first with San Francisco, catching 21 passes for 288 yards. He was owed $770,000 next season.

Cooper, who spent last season on injured reserve with a shoulder injury suffered in training camp, was owed $545,000 next season.

``The reality of the current NFL economic system is that you are forced to make some tough decisions that are not based entirely on the football field,'' coach Mike Nolan said in a statement.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.