Redskins cut cornerback Chris Culliver after adding Josh Norman, Kendall Fuller

ASHBURN — Chris Culliver, who is recovering from a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee, was released by the Washington Redskins on Monday just one year into a four-year, $32 million contract he signed in March 2015.

Culliver was suspended one game last season for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, stemming from an incident in March 2014. The 27-year-old pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors last summer and the one-game suspension voided the remaining $8 million he was guaranteed in 2016. On Thanksgiving, Culliver’s season ended after he tore ligaments in the knee.

The injury, combined with the Redskins’ addition of free agent cornerback Josh Norman and drafting of Virginia Tech cornerback Kendall Fuller last weekend, all were considered in the decision.

“Chris is a professional,” general manager Scot McCloughan said on Monday. “This is the tough part for me about this business, having to stuff like this with any player — but especially him because of the injury and that stuff — but it was a great conversation. It gives him an opportunity to go out there and test free agency, and our door is not closed yet, either.”

McCloughan said Culliver’s rehab from the injury was going well, but the actual date of his return was uncertain. McCloughan said there was not an attempt to restructure Culliver’s contract and a return seems unlikely.

Culliver would have counted for $9.25 million against the salary cap this season, including the $8 million base salary that was no longer guaranteed. They designated the release for post-June 1 to save the full $8 million. By doing that, however, there will be $1.25 million in dead money this season and $2.5 million in 2017.

Last season was challenging for Culliver. He was suspended in Week 2, then injured his right knee in practice before the team’s Week 4 game against the Philadelphia Eagles. He played through the injury, but then missed the next three games. Culliver injured his shoulder in Week 11 against the Carolina Panthers. On Nov. 25, Culliver was awaiting a second opinion on his MRI exam and on the next day, he sustained the season-ending knee injury. He had previously torn the ACL in his left knee in 2013.

Although it was unclear when Culliver would return, it appeared he was going to be involved in the Redskins’ plans. On April 20, the Carolina Panthers surprisingly rescinded the franchise tag on Norman, and two days later, the Redskins reached a five-year, $75 million deal with the All-Pro cornerback. Then, on Friday, Washington drafted Fuller in the third round, 84th overall.

Fuller was projected to be a first-round draft pick, but tore the meniscus in his right knee and had season-ending surgery three games into his final season with the Hokies. He also had microfracture surgery, but coach Jay Gruden said the worst-case scenario is that Fuller will be sidelined until training camp. McCloughan also said he felt strongly about third-year cornerback Bashaud Breeland.

“I respect Chris, and there’s a reason why Chris has been a good football player,” McCloughan said. “That’s not going to change who he is a person. It was just the numbers, what we have going now. Norman came out of nowhere. All of a sudden, boom it falls in your lap and then Fuller. Breeland, I really respect. We had the numbers. The door is not closed, [Culliver] can go out there and test the market and see what happens and hopefully, he gets what he wants.”