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Tracking NFL veteran cuts

Like roster cut down day, the space between the end of the regular season and the next year's free agency sees plenty of big names changing addresses.

And while some of these veterans will end up back with their team at a reduced salary, others will provide a majority of the intrigue heading into the open market period, which is closing in rapidly.

Here are the big names that have already been let go:

Andre Johnson: The Texansreleased Johnson on Monday, ending his 12-year run in Houston. The wideout had 85 receptions for 936 yards with the Texans last season.

Jake Long: The Ramsreleased the veteran left tackle Monday after seven seasons with the team, Ian Rapoport reported. The team will continue to discuss options with him as he rehabs from knee surgery.

Brett Keisel: The Steelers released the veteran defensive end after 13 years in Pittsburgh. Keisel tore his triceps in 2014, which could end his career.

LaMarr Woodley: Woodley has been released after just one season in Oakland. The veteran defensive end started five games for the Raiders last season.

Reggie Bush: His renaissance in Miami led him to become the crown jewel of Detroit's free agency class just two years ago. But what will the market look like now for the 29-year-old speed back who has not played a full season since 2012?

Trent Cole: Cole was released by the Philadelphia Eagles on Wednesday. The linebacker appeared in 155 games (145 starts) for the Eagles.

Pierre Thomas: The longtime Saints running back was informed of his release Wednesday, per NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport. Thomas rushed for 222 yards with two TDs last season.

Cortland Finnegan:Finnegan started all 12 games he apperared in during his lone season in Miami. The release of the cornerback saves the Dolphins $5.48 million.

Darnell Dockett: Dockett, coming off a torn ACL that forced him to miss all of the 2014 season, was set to make $6.8 million in the last year of his deal with the Cardinals. Dockett wasn't on the market for long, however, as he signed a two-year deal with the Niners on March 5.

Bernard Pollard:Pollard started five games at safety for the Titans in 2014 before a ruptured Achilles tendon ended his season.  

A.J. Hawk: It will be bizarre to see the Packers lifer in another uniform next year, but that's what it looks like at the moment. Hawk has been dependable, but had trouble living up to lofty draft expectations (none of which were his fault).

Lance Moore:Moore only lasted one season with the Steelers after spending eight seasons with the Saints. Moore, 31, had 14 receptions for 98 yards and two touchdowns with Pittsburgh.

Steven Jackson: Kyle Shanahan's system was never going to be kind to the bruising running back, especially at 31. But expect the former first-round pick, who has amassed more than 11,000 career rushing yards, to be on a roster very soon.

Cary Williams:The cornerback signed a three-year, $17 million contract with the Eagles in 2013.

LaMarr Woodley:The defensive end only played in six games for the Raiders after signing a two-year, $12 million deal last March.

Brian Hartline: The Dolphins wideout is just two years removed from a 76-catch, 1,016-yard season in 2013, but Miami could not carry a salary of almost $6 million for this year.

Chris Canty: Canty will not immediately fade away into retirement, and it sounds like he'll search for a roster spot elsewhere in 2015. In the interim, saving almost $3 million against the cap was just too tempting for the Ravens to pass up.

J.D. Walton:Walton started 16 games at center for the Giants in his only season in New York. 

Ted Ginn: Ginn's 2013 season in Carolina proved he could be a steady third or fourth option at wide receiver, though Arizona never had that kind of plan for him. The special teams dynamo and former first-round pick will hit the market once again. Could Cleveland be in his future?

Harry Douglas: The wideout saves the Falcons almost $4 million against the cap, which doubles their savings following the Jackson release. Don't be surprised if he comes back cheaper, though. In 2013, he had 85 catches and 1,067 yards.

Tyvon Branch: The former fourth-round pick played in just five games over the last two seasons. Jack Del Rio needs more dependability from his quarterback on defense.

*Kendall Langford:*The massive space eater was drawing some interest at the trade deadline but ultimately fell victim to a glut at the position, headlined by budding star Aaron Donald. Still, don't expect Langford to stay on ice for long.

Anthony Fasano: Even at 30, the versatile tight end has done enough to earn himself another 1-year deal somewhere.

Todd Herremans: Herremans played in 124 games since 2005, but his longevity was not enough to save him from a money dump. Depth at guard is valuable, and he'll land safely somewhere else, perhaps even in Kansas City playing for old pal Andy Reid.

Jacoby Jones: The return specialist left money on the table to stay in Baltimore last year, but will be looking for work again in 2015. Look for his market to still be robust considering the need for reliable special teamers.

Peyton Hillis: A former star in Cleveland, Hillis had a nice final act with the Giants (unless he catches on yet again). Despite being unable to live up to the Madden cover hype, the bruising back carved himself out a nice niche.

Mathias Kiwanuka: The list of Giants remaining from their 2011 championship team (and 2007, for that matter) is getting dramatically shorter. Kiwanuka took a paycut to save his spot last year, but wasn't as lucky in 2015.

Greg Little: The Cincinnati Bengals decided to part ways with the wideout after he caught just six passes for 69 yards last season.

Barry Cofield: The Washington Redskinsterminated Cofield's contract after the nose tackle posted one sack and five tackles during an injury-plagued 2014.

Justin Blalock: After starting 15 games for the Falcons last season, the veteran offensive lineman was released on Friday.

Stephen Bowen: The defensive end was cut after missing 14 games over the past two years for the Redskins.

Brandon Gibson: The Dolphins released the receiver. Gibson played in 14 games for Miami last season.

Chris Myers: The Houston Texans released the center on Wednesday. Myers started 16 games for the Texans in 2014.

Joe Mays: The Chiefs released the inside linebacker on Thursday. Mays played 69 games (38 starts) in seven NFL seasons with Kansas City. The move creates about $2.7 million in salary-cap space.

Vance Walker: The Chiefs announced Friday that the defensive tackle has been released. Walker played in 88 games (28 starts) in six NFL seasons with Kansas City.

Nick Roach: Oakland released Roach on Friday due to a failed physical. The linebacker missed the 2014 season due to lingering concussion issues.

Usama Young: The safety was released Friday due to a failed physical. Young suffered tears to his ACL and MCL in Week 7 of the 2014 season.

Zach Miller: The Seattle Seahawks terminated the tight end's contract due to a failed physical. Miller suffered a season-ending ankle injury in 2014.

Curtis Lofton: The New Orleans Saints released the veteran linebacker on Monday.

The latest Around The NFL Podcast breaks down the annual "Top 101 free agents" list and discusses the latest in league news. Find more Around The NFL content on NFL NOW.

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