Inside linebacker Dannell Ellerbe has been released by the Miami Dolphins after two seasons with the team.
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His 2014 season was cut short by a season-ending hip injury. Ellerbe had signed a five-year, $35 million contract with the Dolphins in 2013 after helping guide the Baltimore Ravens to a Super Bowl victory with 4.5 sacks in the 2012 season.
Ellerbe seemed to be on his way to becoming a reliable contributor to the Dolphins defense in 2013 when he registered a career-high 101 tackles with a sack and two interceptions.
However, he was due $8.5 million in base salary for the 2015 season as he would have counted $9.85 million against the salary cap.
The linebacker is 29 years old, so he should be able to find work with a team in need of a run-stopping presence on the inside.
The Dolphins have gone nuts with releasing players as they are rumored to be interested in defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.
They have let go of wide receivers Brian Hartline and Brandon Gibson, cornerback Cortland Finnegan and linebacker Phillip Wheeler. Wide receiver Mike Wallace may be on his way out the door as well.
NFL Access announced Ellerbe’s departure from Miami on Twitter.
Dolphins to release LB Dannell Ellerbe
— NFL Access (@NFL_Access) March 7, 2015
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