Packers release Kirksey, Wagner

The Green Bay Packers have released veteran linebacker Christian Kirksey and tackle Rick Wagner, general manager Brian Gutekunst announced Friday.

The moves free up more than $10 million in cap space, according to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. That leaves the Packers within roughly $10 million of reaching the projected salary-cap limit of $180 million.

Both players were cut after just one season in Green Bay.

Kirksey signed a two-year, $13-million deal in March after spending his first six seasons with the Cleveland Browns. In 11 games in green and gold, Kirksey racked up 73 tackles, two sacks, and two interceptions. He added six tackles in the Packers' two playoff games.

Wagner inked a two-year, $11-million deal with Green Bay after stints with the Detroit Lions and Baltimore Ravens. He played in all 16 games last season but only started nine.