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Eagles Release Two-Time Pro Bowl LB DeMeco Ryans

Caption:PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 20: Jerome Couplin #21 of the Dallas Cowboys attempts to get away from DeMeco Ryans #59 of the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on September 20, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz /Getty Images)

The Philadelphia Eagles have released two-time Pro Bowl linebacker DeMeco Ryans.

Eagles Release Two-Time Pro Bowl LB DeMeco Ryans

The move, which was announced Wednesday, will save the Eagles $3.5 million in salary cap space. Ryans, 31, has a ten-year career in the NFL, including four seasons with the Eagles after being acquired by the Houston Texans in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft.

With a new coaching staff and a switch to a 4-3 defense this season under new coach Doug Pederson, Ryans became expendable.

With the Eagles, the LB had 458 tackles, five sacks and five interceptions in 54 regular-season games. He was considered a team leader and a strong presence in the locker room, and was even nicknamed “Mufasa.”

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Ryans also overcame tearing his Achilles tendon — for the second time — midway through the 2014 season and started 13 games last year. He played in the 2007 and 2009 Pro Bowls.

Caption: PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 20: Jerome Couplin #21 of the Dallas Cowboys attempts to get away from DeMeco Ryans #59 of the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on September 20, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz /Getty Images)

Pablo Mena

Writer and assistant editor for usports.org. NY Giants and Rangers fan. Film and TV enthusiast (especially Harry Potter and The Office) and lover of foreign languages and cultures.