Veteran pass rusher Shaun Phillips has gone from leading sacker on a Super Bowl team to twice dumped over the last calendar year.
Two months after being waived by the Tennessee Titans, Phillips was released by the Indianapolis Colts on Monday.
It's a steep fall for Phillips, who led the Broncos with 10 sacks in 2013.
The 33-year-old's fate is not unusual for an aging pass rusher who peaked as an above average starter but fell shy of annual All-Pro consideration.
When the Chargers went to the postseason in four consecutive years last decade, the defense was led by the ferocious edge-rushing tandem of Phillips and Shawne Merriman -- when the latter was healthy.
After a string of premature playoff losses in San Diego, Phillips accepted less money and a leadership role for the division-rival Denver team that captured the AFC title in 2013.
If this is the end of the line for Phillips, he will finish his accomplished 11-year career with 81.5 sacks and one Pro Bowl appearance.
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