NEW ORLEANS, July 24 (UPI) -- The New Orleans Saints have released linebacker Derrick Rodgers.
The eight-year veteran, who missed the last eight games last season because of a back injury, had surgery in February to repair a bulging disc.
As a result, the 33-year-old veteran was not healthy enough to compete in off-season practice sessions. The team reportedly felt he would not be fully recovered enough to go through the rigors of training camp.
The 6-foot, 230-pounder started all 23 games he played for the Saints after coming to New Orleans in a 2003 trade with the Dolphins.
He recorded 97 tackles -- a career high -- in 2003 and 71 last season.
He was a third-round draft pick by Miami in 1993 out of Arizona State.
Rodgers, who was a very good run-stopper, has 536 tackles and one interception in his career.
