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>>Colts Release DT Francois

 width=The Indianapolis Colts released defensive tackle Ricky Jean Francois on Monday.

Jean Francois started 23 regular-season games for the Colts over the last two seasons, registering 54 tackles and 5 1/2 sacks. He added nine tackles and 1 1/2 sacks in five postseason games.

The 28-year-old LSU product spent the first four seasons of his career with San Francisco after being selected by the 49ers in the seventh round of the 2009 draft.

>>Panthers Cut RB Williams

DeAngelo Williams says he's being released by the Carolina Panthers after nine seasons.

Williams, who will turn 32 in April, told Charlotte's WBTV that he was told he'd be cut by the team last week during a meeting with Panthers coach Ron Rivera.

According to Williams, Rivera said the Panthers "don't run the ball enough" to keep both him and Jonathan Stewart on the team.

Panthers spokesman Steven Drummond said in an email that Williams has not been released.

Williams appeared in only six games this past season, missing the last four regular-season contests because of a broken hand. The Panthers went 4-0 in those games with Stewart as the starter and won a second consecutive NFC South title despite a 7-8-1 record.

Stewart, 27, rushed for 809 yards and three touchdowns in 13 games. Williams rushed for a career-low 219 yards and failed to score for the first time since he was drafted by the Panthers No. 27 overall in 2006.

The former Pro Bowl selection had just eight touches in two playoff games -- six runs and two catches.

Williams rushed for a career-high 1,515 yards in 2008, leading the league with 18 touchdowns that season. He gained 6,846 yards in 117 games for Carolina with 46 touchdowns on the ground and another seven through the air.

>>Cardinals Release WR Ginn

The Arizona Cardinals released wide receiver and return specialist Ted Ginn, Jr. on Monday.

Ginn played in all 16 games last season for the Cardinals, playing mostly on special teams. He returned 22 kickoffs for 417 yards and 26 punts for 277 yards and a score, adding 14 receptions for 190 yards.

The 29-year-old Ohio State product, who was selected ninth overall by Miami in 2007, has compiled 211 catches for 2,794 yards and 11 touchdowns and seven return scores in 120 career games with the Dolphins, 49ers, Panthers and Cardinals.

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