PHILADELPHIA – Philadelphia Eagles coach Chip Kelly said Miles Austin was “disappointed” when he learned he would be inactive for the team’s game at New England Sunday.
Austin couldn’t have been any happier Monday.
The Eagles released the veteran wide receiver. The move was first reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer and confirmed by ESPN’s Josina Anderson.
Austin, 31, signed a one-year contract with the Eagles in March. The deal paid Austin $2.3 million, which he will receive despite being released.
Kelly added Austin to provide a veteran presence in a meeting room full of young wide receivers. Kelly has drafted three receivers in the first three rounds of the NFL draft in the past two years. In 2014, the Eagles drafted Jordan Matthews in the second round and Josh Huff in the third round.
This year, the team took USC’s Nelson Agholor with the 20th pick in the first round of the draft.
Riley Cooper was the only receiver remaining from the team Kelly inherited from Andy Reid in 2013.
Before being inactive Sunday, Austin had played in the Eagles’ first 11 games. He made one start. Austin caught 13 passes for 224 yards and one touchdown.
He sometimes seemed to be out of sync with the Eagles’ quarterbacks. Several passes fell incomplete when Austin didn’t appear to expect them. In the Eagles’ 20-19 loss to Miami last month, Mark Sanchez threw a pass for Austin in the end zone. Austin did not seem to expect the throw and the pass was intercepted.
The Eagles promoted wide receiver Jonathan Krause from their practice squad. After a couple weeks, Kelly decided to play Krause against the Patriots. Austin was the odd man out.
“I think, like anybody, he was disappointed but he understood,” Kelly said. “Miles is a real team player and knows what we're trying to get accomplished here.”
Krause earned the opportunity with his performance in practice, Kelly said.
“Krause is another guy, which you've continued to see them improve over the course of the season,” Kelly said. “And we talk about our guys -- it is an evaluation every day that you're out there and you have an opportunity. Nothing's set in stone, that you continue to show us that you could help us and be productive.”
