Brandon Stokley and Montae Reagor cut

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The Indianapolis Colts' bid to repeat as Super Bowl champions likely won't include two players who missed their title run with injuries: wide receiver Brandon Stokley and defensive tackle Montae Reagor.

Each veteran had his contract terminated Thursday in cost-cutting moves. Rick Smith, Stokley's agent, confirmed the Colts' plans to release his client. Jeff Nalley, Reagor's agent, said the team was "terminating his contract. What a terrible business we are in.''

The departure of both players isn't a surprise considering the injuries that forced them to miss a combined 31 games in 2006, including the four-game postseason that culminated with a victory in Super Bowl XLI, and their pending financial burdens.

Stokley, limited to four of the Colts' 20 games this past season, was due a $500,000 roster bonus and an '07 base salary of $2.1 million, and was to have counted $4.051 million against the NFL's $109 million salary cap. The Colts owed Reagor a $1.05 million roster bonus and a base salary of $2 million in '07. He would have counted $3.9 million against the cap.

The availability of each player for the upcoming season is uncertain.

Reagor started the first five games before suffering severe facial injuries in an Oct. 22 automobile accident that landed him on the league's non-football illness/injury list.

Stokley missed playing time early in the season with injuries to his left ankle and left knee. His season ended Dec. 10 at Jacksonville when he ruptured his right Achilles tendon. Stokley could not be reached for comment but said last month he was optimistic he would be ready for training camp in July.

It's possible the Colts will re-sign Stokley and Reagor at a later time. However, Smith anticipates Stokley drawing immediate interest on the NFL's veteran free agent market, which began today.

 

link to Indy Star