SAN DIEGO – The San Diego Chargers have released outside linebacker Northern Illinois University graduate 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.
Chargers general manager Tom Telesco said English gave everything he had on the field and made “significant contributions” in the community.
The Chargers drafted him 16th overall in 2009 and he played in all 16 games as a rookie. He played in only 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.