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Veteran OL Trai Essex among Pittsburgh Steelers' cuts

Published: Aug 31, 2012 at 09:55 AM

Marc Sessler

The Pittsburgh Steelers are ready for battle.

After placing rookie linebacker Sean Spence on injured reserve, the Steelers announced the release of an additional 21 players to thin their roster to 53, well ahead of Friday's league deadline (which we appreciate).

Cut tracker

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Deion Branch was just one of Friday's many releases. Who else was cut? **More ...**

Spence, the Steelers' third-round draft pick, was lost for the year to a left knee injury in Thursday's preseason finale against the Carolina Panthers.

Among the more recognizable Steelers cuts were offensive lineman Trai Essex and punter Jeremy Kapinos. Essex started 28 games for the Steelers over seven seasons after being drafted by Pittsburgh in the third round of the 2005 draft. He obviously failed to impress coaches this summer.

Kapinos saw plenty of action in Pittsburgh over the past two seasons, but he remained a mid-level punter statistically. The five-year veteran is being replaced by undrafted rookie Drew Butler.

The 19 remaining cuts include defensive backs Damon Cromartie-Smith, Terrence Frederick and Josh Victorian; linebackers Brandon Hicks and Marshall McFadden; defensive linemen Corbin Bryant, Igbinosun Ikponmwosa and Jake Stoller; quarterback Jerrod Johnson; running back DuJuan Harris; wide receivers Tyler Beiler, Toney Clemons, David Gilreath, Marquis Maze and Derrick Williams; and offensive linemen Ryan Lee, John Malecki and Chris Scott.

Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.

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