Colts Release Outside Linebacker Shaun Phillips

This is the time of year where NFL teams make roster moves that clear up cap space, and that's what we saw last week when the Colts released safety LaRon Landry.  Today, the Colts made another roster move that clears up some cap space, announcing that they released outside linebacker Shaun Phillips.

Phillips, like Landry, was a player we mentioned as a potential cap casualty this offseason, as by cutting him the Colts save $2.65 million in cap space (per Over the Cap).  The Colts claimed him in the middle of the 2014 season and it was a waiver claim well worth the shot, but Phillips really didn't do much during his time in Indy.  He played in five regular season games and all three postseason games, making eight combined tackles.  He has had a great NFL career, as the 11-year veteran has recorded 561 tackles, 81.5 sacks, 48 passes defended, 22 forced fumbles, 10 fumble recoveries, and seven interceptions.

This move comes as no surprise for the Colts, as they could cut him and save $2.65 million without any dead cap for a player who didn't contribute much whatsoever for the Colts in 2014.  At the time, it was a great move by the Colts to try to get some pass rush help, and just because it didn't work out doesn't mean that it was a bad move.  But regardless, Phillips was a minimal factor in 2014 and, with the cap space that cutting him frees up, this move was completely expected.