Packers cut five, including veteran Hargrove

Published Aug. 24, 2012 5:27 p.m. ET

foxsports

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The Anthony Hargrove experiment in Green Bay is over as the Packers have officially released the veteran defensive lineman.

Hargrove, who is suspended for the first eight games of the regular season for his role in the New Orleans Saints' bounty program, was signed by the Packers this offseason prior to his punishment being handed down by the NFL.

Hargrove had not been receiving many snaps in training camp practices or in the preseason due to Green Bay's coaching staff preferring to focus on players who will be available in Week 1.

It seemed to make sense for the Packers to hang on to Hargrove for the start of the regular season because he would not have counted against the team's 53-man active roster. That way, in the event of a defensive lineman getting injured early in the season, Green Bay would have a healthy and rested Hargrove ready to go in Week 9 once his suspension is over.

But general manager Ted Thompson opted to go in a different direction, releasing Hargrove at the first round of mandatory cuts when NFL teams have to go from 90 players down to 75.

The deadline for teams to be down to 75 players in Monday afternoon, but the Packers parted ways with five players early Friday evening. In addition to Hargrove, Thompson announced the releases of wide receiver Andrew Brewer, offensive tackle Herb Taylor, cornerback Dion Turner and safety Micah Pellerin.

Thompson will have to cut 10 more players by Monday's deadline.

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