The Cincinnati Bengals released guard Travelle Wharton on Monday, less than a year after he suffered a season-ending knee injury in the preseason opener.
Wharton, 32, was the Bengals' first free-agent signing last year, reaching a three-year, $10 million deal with Cincinnati. He had been projected to start at left guard before suffering the injury after playing three snaps in the 2012 preseason opener.
Clint Boling, a fourth-round draft pick in 2011, is expected to keep the starting job at left guard. The Bengals save $1.6 million against the salary cap by releasing Wharton, who played for the Carolina Panthers from 2004 to 2011.