The Indianapolis Colts have released two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Vontae Davis.
Davis had been with the Colts since 2012 and his elite performances for the franchise secured Pro Bowl visits in 2014 and 2015.
His release comes a day after reports Davis was going to have season-ending surgery on a groin injury and amid a worsening relationship with Colts coach Chuck Pagano.
The 29-year-old was benched by Pagano for last Sunday's clash with the Houston Texans, Pagano stating that it had been a non-injury-related "coaching decision."
However, the demotion clearly upset Davis, who was scheduled to become a free agent at the end of the season.
Davis said: "I've been here six years. We've had similar situations where I played hurt. These things happen.
"I never got confronted and [no one] said, 'Your play has slipped.' Nothing. I was playing at a level that was acceptable.
"But now, my play slips and this? They should have come to me way earlier and said, 'Vontae, you're not yourself. You're not playing well.' I told the trainers my groin was not responding."