Cincinnati, OH (Sports Network) - Linebacker Darryl Blackstock and safety Marvin White, two players who appeared in the starting lineup for the Cincinnati Bengals last season, were released on Saturday as part of the team's "cut-down day" maneuvers.
Blackstock, who opened four games a year ago and finished with 17 tackles on the season, was victimized by a linebacking corps enhanced through the selection of Rey Maualuga in the second-round of the April draft.
White, the team's fourth-round pick in the 2007 draft and a 13-game starter over his first two seasons in the league, was passed over in favor of younger players such as rookie free agent Tom Nelson (Illinois State).
Also released from the team were wide receiver Freddie Brown, guard Andrew Crummey, defensive end Chris Harrington, tight end Darius Hill, defensive tackle Ventrell Jenkins, running back James Johnson, tight end Kolomona Kapanui, safety Corey Lynch, linebacker Jim Maxwell, defensive tackle Clinton McDonald, defensive tackle Langston Moore, cornerback Rico Murray, tackle Augustus Parrish, wide receiver Maurice Purify, fullback Chris Pressley, guard Jason Shirley, linebacker Dan Skuta, kicker Sam Swank, and fullback Fui Vakapuna.
Of that group, notables include Lynch, who played in seven games with the team, a year ago; Moore, who appeared in 51 NFL games between 2004 and 2008; and Brown, McDonald and Vakapuna, all of whom were seventh-round choices of the team in the 2009 draft.
In other moves, the team placed wide receiver/return specialist Antonio Chatman on season-ending injured reserve with an ankle injury, and he will join tight end Matt Sherry (shoulder), who cleared waivers and reverted to that list on Tuesday.
Additionally, rookie tackle Andre Smith remains with the team on a roster exemption, and does not count against the 53 limit. The exemption expires on Sept. 14.
Cincinnati will open its season on Sept. 13, when it hosts the Denver Broncos.