NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Titans are saying goodbye to one of their longest-tenured and most-popular players, defensive lineman Karl Klug. The team announced Friday that he has been informed of his release.
Releasing Klug will save the Titans nearly $2.5 million in salary cap space and leaves no "dead money" on their cap. He had one year left on his contract.
Klug, who turns 30 this month, has been a solid depth player and sub package interior pass-rusher for most of his seven-year career in Tennessee. Klug, a Titans 2011 fifth-round pick, was voted by his teammates as their Ed Block Courage Award winner this year.
“I really appreciate all that Karl gave to this team in his seven seasons with the Titans," Titans general manager Jon Robinson said in a statement. "He is a tireless worker, and his passion for football showed in how he prepared for and played the game. I know all of us who worked with him here wish him and his family the best moving forward.”
Klug played 109 games for the Titans and was defined by his toughness and blue-collar approach to the game. He often fought through injuries and beat expected recovery times. He had 21.5 sacks in his seven seasons, including 1.5 in each of the last two seasons.
It's a new regime in Tennessee under head coach Mike Vrabel, and it's possible that Klug did not fit in the scheme. Klug was due a roster bonus Sunday.
The Titans re-signed defensive end DaQuan Jones to a three-year contract this week, and they are expecting to add more defensive line depth in free agency and/or the draft.
Tennessee has a visit scheduled with defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh this weekend, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Suh also is visiting with the Saints and has plans to visit other teams. Titans defensive line coach Terrell Williams coached Suh over the last three seasons in Miami.
