JACKSONVILLE – The Jaguars made an early roster move Tuesday.
Justin Forsett, a veteran running back limited by injury in his lone season with the Jaguars, was released on Tuesday morning, hours before the start of the new league year.
Forsett, who will be a seventh-year veteran next season, signed with the Jaguars as an unrestricted free agent last offseason. He sustained a toe injury in training camp and missed the preseason but played in nine regular-season games.
He rushed for 41 yards on six carries last season and caught 15 passes for 82 yards.
Thank You Jacksonville for all the love & support!! It was a pleasure being able to play back in my home state!! #Blessed — Justin Forsett (@JForsett) March 11, 2014
The move left the Jaguars with five running backs as of Tuesday morning – Maurice Jones-Drew, Jordan Todman, Denard Robinson, Delone Carter and Shaun Chapas – and fullback Will Ta'ufo'ou. Of the running backs, only Jones-Drew, Todman and Robinson had carries for the Jaguars last season. Jones-Drew will become a free agent Tuesday afternoon, and is expected to test the market.
Forsett, originally a seventh-round selection by Seattle in the 2008 NFL Draft, played with Seattle, Indianapolis and Houston before joining the Jaguars.
Forsett has rushed for 1,692 yards and eight touchdowns on 347 career carries with 115 receptions for 850 yards and a touchdown.
Tuesday's move leaves Forsett free to negotiate and sign with another team. The 2014 league year begins Tuesday at 4 p.m. Unrestricted free agents may finalize deals and sign with other teams at that time, though released players such as Forsett may negotiate and sign before that time.