Cincinnati Bengals release LB A.J. Hawk

Linebacker A.J. Hawk was released by the Cincinnati Bengals.

Hawk, signed last year as a free agent after spending nine seasons with the Green Bay Packers, was expendable when the Bengals picked up veteran Karlos Dansby to spell Vontaze Burfict. Burfict is suspended for the first three games in 2016.

Releasing Hawk saves the Bengals $1.6 million against this season's cap.

The 32-year-old was the fifth overall pick in the 2006 draft and is the Packers' all-time leading tackler with 1,118. He made the Pro Bowl in 2010 and was released by the Packers after undergoing ankle surgery in 2014. He was previously released by the Packers in 2011, but re-signed at a lower salary.

With the Bengals in 2015, Hawk started 11 games and had 25 tackles and one sack.

"A.J. was a big part of us last season as we won the division championship, and I appreciate his efforts," Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said in a statement. "We're going a different direction at this point, but I've always been a fan of A.J. It has been a pleasure having him as part of our team and getting to know him and his family better."