Cardinals cut ties with Heap

Tempe, AZ – The Arizona Cardinals released tight end Todd Heap on Tuesday, ending the veteran's disappointing near two-year tenure with the team.

The Cardinals signed Heap, a two-time Pro Bowl selection with the Baltimore Ravens, to a two-year contract prior to the 2011 season, but the 12-year pro has played in only 12 of a possible 28 games mostly because of injuries. Heap hasn't been active since spraining the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in a win at New England in Week 2, though he's been a healthy scratch in recent games.

Heap was limited to 10 games in 2011 due to hamstring problems and managed just 24 catches for 283 yards and one touchdown, his lowest reception total since 2007. He had eight catches totaling 94 yards over the first two outings of this season prior to being sidelined.

The 32-year-old, who agreed to a $1 million pay cut before this season, has compiled 499 receptions for 5,869 yards and 42 touchdowns during his career and made back-to-back Pro Bowls with the Ravens in 2002 and 2003. His best year came with Baltimore in 2005, when the Arizona native recorded personal bests for catches (75), receiving yards (855) and touchdowns (7).

To take Heap's place on the active roster, the Cardinals signed tight end Kory Sperry. The 27-year-old Sperry played in all 16 games with San Diego in 2011, but was released by the Chargers during final cuts this past preseason.