PHOENIX (AP) - The Arizona Cardinals will release starting guard Daryn Colledge on Tuesday, freeing up more cap space for free agency.
A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed the team’s plans. The person spoke to The Associated Press on Monday on condition of anonymity because Colledge’s release cannot be official until Tuesday.
Colledge, who started every game in his three seasons with the Cardinals, already had tweeted a goodbye to Cardinals fans, and then confirmed to The Arizona Republic that he was leaving the team. He has not missed a game in his eight NFL seasons, even playing with a fractured leg last year.
“Want to thank you the fans and the Cardinals for an amazing opportunity,” Colledge said on Twitter. “A great organization headed in the right direction.”
The move reportedly saves $2,275,000 in salary-cap space this year for a team that reportedly is in the market for a left tackle and wants to re-sign several of its players that are set to become free agents. At the top of the list is inside linebacker Karlos Dansby, who led the team in tackles last season.
The team is about $20 million under the cap.
Meanwhile, kicker Jay Feely tweeted Tuesday that he had agreed to return to the Cardinals.
“Happy to announce I am signed back with the AZ Cardinals,” he wrote. “I never wanted to play with different teammates or another organization.”
The Cardinals have two second-year guards in Jonathan Cooper and Earl Watford. Cooper, the team’s first-round draft pick, missed all of last season after breaking a leg in preseason.
“They wanted to go young and cheaper,” Colledge told The Republic.
He understood the team’s decision.
“I’m 32 now, not 23,” Colledge said. “They have great talent in Cooper and Earl.”
With Colledge’s release, the only sure returning starter on the Arizona offensive line is center Lyle Sendlein. Cooper and Watford could be the guards, and right tackle Eric Winston is a free agent.
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