EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., Feb. 11 (UPI) -- The New York Giants Thursday released veteran middle linebacker Antonio Pierce without explanation.
The team confirmed the move, but only after Pierce had told The (Newark, N.J.) Star-Ledger in an e-mail he had been released.
Pierce, 31, led the Giants in tackles three times in his five years with the franchise, and was a Pro Bowl selection in 2006 after four years with the Washington Redskins.
"A.P. came right in and took the bull by the horns from day one and was very instrumental in helping the New York Giants win a lot of games and accomplishing a lot of our goal," General Manager Jerry Reese said on the Giants' Web site.
Pierce went to injured reserve in late November last season because of a bulging disc in his neck.
He has recorded 686 tackles, nine sacks and seven interceptions in 124 NFL contests.
