ALAMEDA, Calif. -- The Oakland Raiders released wide receiver Javon Walker and defensive end Greg Ellis on Monday in their latest dumping of veteran players.
The moves follow Saturday's decision to cut ties with longtime running back Justin Fargas.
Walker was a disappointment right from the start after signing a six-year, $55 million contract that included an $11 million signing bonus two years ago. He caught 15 passes for 196 yards and one touchdown in two injury-plagued seasons in Oakland while being paid $14 million.
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The Raiders were hoping to have added a No. 1 receiver when they signed Walker. He had 89 catches for 1,382 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2004 for the Green Bay Packers and 69 catches for 1,084 yards and eight scores in 2006 for the Denver Broncos. Walker injured his knee in 2007 and never was the same player again.
Walker was criticized almost from the start in 2008 by former Raiders coach Lane Kiffin for being out of shape in offseason workouts and then was seriously injured in June during a robbery in Las Vegas.
Walker contemplated retirement in his first training camp before being talked out of it by Raiders owner Al Davis. Walker played in eight games during his first season in Oakland before being sidelined by a season-ending ankle injury.
Walker had knee surgery last offseason out of the country without telling the team, and he barely played in 2009. He appeared in just three games and caught no passes, fumbling on his only punt-return chance.
Walker never cracked the lineup despite Oakland's struggles at receiver. The Raiders' corps of wide receivers combined for 95 catches and seven touchdowns last season.
Ellis signed a two-year contract with the Raiders last June after being released by the Dallas Cowboys and provided a strong veteran presence on the line. He was tied for the Raiders lead with seven sacks last season, but he was hampered the second half by chronic knee problems. He was due $2.5 million next season.
Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press
