Jacksonville Jaguars release first-round bust Bjoern Werner on birthday

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Aug. 30 (UPI) -- Once upon a time, Bjoern Werner was a three-time All-American, leaving Florida State after piling up 13 sacks and 18 tackles for a loss in one season. He was picked in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft.

But after three season and 6.5 sacks with the Indianapolis Colts, Werner was cut. The Jacksonville Jaguars signed Werner two months later. The team gave him a one-year, $755,000 contract and switched him from linebacker back to defensive end.

"It's a fresh start," Werner told Jaguars.com in May. "I'm excited to get back to Florida, and excited to be a defensive end again. That's the plan and I'm very thankful for this opportunity. I'm looking forward to this working."

Two things happened Tuesday: Werner turned 26-years-old and he was cut for the second time in his career. The Jaguars also cut tight end Nic Jacobs and placed safety James Sample on injured reserve, according to Jacksonville.com. The team now stands at 75-men.