The Pittsburgh Steelers announced this afternoon that they have released LB Larry Foote, CB Curtis Brown, and OT Levi Brown. These moves come as the team continues to shed payroll and make space within the salary cap. The NFL announced last week that the 2014-15 salary cap will be about $10 million higher than last season, approaching nearly $133 million.
Foote, a 13-year veteran, has spent all but one year of his career with the Steelers. After a career season in 2012 (75 solo tackles, four sacks, two fumble recoveries), Foote suffered a season-ending torn biceps injury in Week One vs. Tennessee last September.
Curtis Brown was a third-round draft pick in 2011, playing in 12 games that year, 15 the next, and only in seven last season. He only recorded 41 tackles and never had an interception in those three seasons, mostly played in a reserve role behind Ike Taylor, William Gay, and others on the depth chart.
Levi Brown, who was acquired via trade from Arizona last season, never played a snap in a Steelers uniform. With an injury-depleted offensive line, he was traded for in mid-October but was injured (triceps) during warm-ups before what would have been his first game for Pittsburgh. Arizona received nothing for him since the trade involved draft pick compensation contingent on how many games he played for the Steelers. He was replaced on injured reserve two days after the injury.
