Running back Shaun Alexander was released by the Seattle Seahawks Tuesday, according to multiple sources.
Before his release, Alexander had to take a procedural physical in order to facilitate the termination of his contract. He took that physical Tuesday afternoon. He's recovering from wrist surgery and has been waiting for his left wrist to heal before he can start visiting teams that might be interested in signing him.
Alexander's agent, Jim Steiner, told The Associated Press Tuesday that "an announcement is pending" about Alexander's future with the Seahawks.
Alexander is expected to issue a statement early Tuesday evening, and Seahawks management is expected to be available for comment after 7 p.m. ET. Alexander leaves Seattle on good terms after being the team's all-time leading rusher. Two years of injuries plus the fact he's 30 years old led to his exit.
General manager Tim Ruskell, a big supporter of Alexander, signed Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett to replace him. The only holdup in Alexander's release was his wrist, which plagued him most of the 2007 season.
Alexander, who is signed through 2010, is scheduled to make $4.475 million this season. The Seahawks have two possible ways of releasing him. They could simply terminate his contract. If they do that, they would have a cap loss of $125,000.
Or, Seattle could release him under a June 2 designation in which they would put the $4.475 million salary on the 2008 cap and then be responsible for $4.6 million on their 2009 cap. With more than $12 million of cap room remaining, the Seahawks may simply give him his outright release and take the cap hits this season.
A former first-round choice of the Seahawks, Alexander rushed for 9,429 yards and scored 100 touchdowns in eight seasons.
He's told teammates there might be interest from teams such as the New England Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts, although he's just beginning his first venture into free agency.
John Clayton is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.
