National Football League

AP source: Linebacker Wheeler released by Dolphins

Published Mar. 7, 2015 11:20 a.m. ET

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MIAMI (AP) Linebacker Philip Wheeler was released Saturday by the Miami Dolphins with a post-June 1 designation, a person familiar with the situation said.

The person confirmed the move to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team didn't announce it.

Wheeler's release wasn't a surprise, because he lost his starting job last year and was to make $2.9 million in 2015.

He's the fifth veteran released in the past eight days by the Dolphins, who also have parted with receivers Brian Hartline and Brandon Gibson, cornerback Cortland Finnegan and backup offensive lineman Nate Garner. The moves freed up salary cap space for the Dolphins' anticipated pursuit of defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and other free agents.

Safety Jordan Kovacs and defensive tackle A.J. Francis re-signed Saturday with the Dolphins rather than becoming exclusive-rights free agents next week.

Kovacs joined the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2013. He has appeared in 17 games in two seasons, all as a reserve and mostly on special teams.

Francis spent the entire 2014 season with the Dolphins on injured reserve because of a knee injury. He originally was signed by Miami in 2013 as an undrafted free agent, and has also been on the New England Patriots' practice squad.

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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL

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Follow Steven Wine on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Steve-Wine

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