The Jacksonville Jaguars today released wide receiver Keenan McCardell and linebacker Hardy Nickerson.

"I want to thank Keenan and Hardy for all that they contributed to this team and to this community," said Jaguars head coach Tom Coughlin. "Keenan spent six years with us and was a leader in the record book as well as off the field. Hardy was with us for just two seasons, but his 15 years in the NFL made him a great example to his teammates. Both of these men are a tribute to their profession."

McCardell, who joined the team as an unrestricted free agent in 1996, ranks second in franchise history in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. He had 94 and 93 receptions each of the past two seasons and 1,000 yards receiving in four of his six years with Jaguars. The first Jaguar to be voted to the Pro Bowl, he led the team in receiving in 1996, '97 and 2000. He ranks fifth in the NFL over the last six seasons with 499 receptions, trailing only Jimmy Smith (562), Tim Brown (532), Cris Carter (522) and Marvin Harrison (522). He also ranks seventh in receiving yards in that time. McCardell combined with teammate Jimmy Smith for 1,061 receptions since 1996, more than any other duo in NFL history over a six-year span.

Nickerson was with the team the last two seasons. He broke the Jaguars' single-season record for most tackles with 230 in 2001, surpassing his previous career-high of 214 recorded in 1993 with Tampa Bay and the previous Jaguars record of 186 by Kevin Hardy in 1998. Signed as an unrestricted free agent in 2000, he played in only six games before going on injured reserve with a knee injury, but he returned to play in 15 games in 2001. Nickerson, who spent the previous 13 years with Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay, had a personal-best three interceptions in 2001.

The Jaguars' roster stands at 90 players.