Chargers cut banged-up linebacker Larry English

SAN DIEGO (AP) The San Diego Chargers have released outside linebacker Larry English, a former first-round pick.

San Diego parted ways with English on Tuesday. He was limited to nine games last year, including five starts in place of Dwight Freeney, because of a pectoral injury he had after sacking Peyton Manning in a loss to Denver.

The Chargers drafted him 16th overall in 2009 and he played in all 16 games as a rookie. He played in just 13 games over the next two years because of foot injuries. English has 11 career sacks in 52 games, nine starts, over his five-year career.

Chargers general manager Tom Telesco says English gave everything he had on the field and made ''significant contributions'' in the community.