Mired in a seven-game losing streak, the Philadelphia Eagles (3-8 on the season) released All-Pro defensive lineman Jason Babin. Babin, 32, had 18 sacks in 2011, however he, like his struggling Eagles squad, has underperformed this year, managing just 5.5 sacks.

Eagles coach Andy Reid cited that cutting Babin will help develop less experienced players on the roster. "We appreciate everything that Jason has given this team over the last couple of years," Reid said in a statement. "We wish him all the best as he continues his career. By releasing him today, this gives us an opportunity to give more playing time to some of the younger guys in the defensive line rotation."

Babin was drafted in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans. He bounced around the league, playing for four teams in six seasons, before he broke out for the Tennessee Titans in 2010, recording 12.5 sacks and making the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career. Babin signed with the Eagles the following season. His release comes less than two years into a five year $28 million contract.

This is just the latest setback for an Eagles team who fired its defensive coordinator, Juan Castillo, in mid-October and has been without quarterback Michael Vick (concussion). To make matters worse, star wide receiver DeSean Jackson was lost for the rest of the season after breaking his ribs in the team's most recent loss to the Carolina Panthers on Monday Night Football.

Babin will likely land with another NFL team by the end of the week.

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