The Baltimore Ravenshave released veteran kicker Billy Cundiff, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.
The Ravens later announced that Cundiff had been released in addition to eight other players including Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton's brother, center Cecil Newton.
"These decisions are never easy, and this one was difficult for all of us," coach John Harbaugh said, according to The Associated Press. "Billy had a great camp, the best he has had with us. He showed, like he always has, a toughness and an ability to come back and be a top flight NFL kicker."
A journeyman for much of his career, Cundiff, 32, earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in 2010 after connecting on 26-of-29 field-goal attempts and tying an NFL record for touchbacks with 40.
Cundiff's stellar season resulted in a five-year, $14.7 million contract extension that included a $3 million signing bonus and a $1.5 million base salary in 2011.
Cundiff would miss nine field-goal attempts in 2011, though five were on attempts from beyond 50 yards. Cundiff was wide left on a 32-yard attempt that would have forced overtime in the 2011 AFC Championship Game, a miss that put his long-term future with the team in jeopardy.
This summer, Cundiff has been competing against Justin Tucker, an undrafted rookie from the University of Texas. Neither had missed a kick during the first two preseason games, but Tucker apparently outperformed Cundiff in practices and was given an opportunity to handle all the kicking duties in the Ravens' 48-17 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday night.
Tucker was good from 33 and 53 yards and boomed five touchbacks.
Follow Brian McIntyre on Twitter _@brianmcintyre_.
