Thursday 14 February 2019 15:59, UK
The Los Angeles Chargers announced Wednesday they will decline defensive tackle Corey Liuget's option for 2019, meaning he will hit free agency in March.
Liuget was set to count $9.5m against the cap in 2019, including a $4m roster bonus due on March 15. The Chargers will save $8m against the cap by letting him go, leaving $1.5m in dead money. He also was on the books for a $9.5m cap hit in 2019.
General manager Tom Telesco added in a statement that "the door is certainly not closed for a possible return in the future," suggesting Liuget could be re-signed.
Telesco also thanked Liuget for his off-field contributions, which made him the team's nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2018.
Liuget, who turns 29 on March 18, landed on injured reserve in late November after tearing the quad tendon in his right knee.
He had missed the first four games of the season due to a suspension for violating the league's performance-enhancing-drugs policy. He totalled 1.5 sacks, five QB hits and five tackles for loss in six games before the injury.
Drafted 18th overall by the Chargers in 2011, Liuget totalled 24 sacks, 53 QB hits and 59 tackles for loss in 108 games (103 starts) across eight seasons with the team.
He had 12.5 sacks and 23 QB hits from 2012 to 2013 before tailing off in recent seasons.
The Chargers have some work to do at defensive tackle, as Brandon Mebane, Damion Square and Darius Philon are all set to become unrestricted free agents. That group combined to start 36 games in 2018.
