Waiting only for the results of a physical, the Ravens officially announced the termination of cornerback Domonique Foxworth’s contract on Monday afternoon.
The team cited Foxworth failing a physical after the veteran missed the entire 2010 season and most of last season due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered in his right knee on the eve of training camp two summers ago.
“We appreciate all Domonique did for us the past three years, both with his play and his important leadership off the field,” general manager Ozzie Newsome said in a team statement. “This does not preclude us from bringing back Domonique back at a later date.”
Set to make a reported $5.6 million in base salary and owning a cap number of $8.6 million for the 2012 season, the former University of Maryland star and Randallstown native likely knew his fate was sealed when his surgically-repaired knee failed to respond well enough to contribute to the Baltimore defense in 2011. In a similar situation to fellow veteran Chris Carr — who was released last Friday — Foxworth found himself supplanted by the Ravens’ young trio of Lardarius Webb, Cary Williams, and Jimmy Smith.
With Foxworth, Carr, and wide receiver Lee Evans no longer under contract, the Ravens have shaved an estimated $10.5 million from their salary cap with free agency set to begin next week.
The 28-year-old Foxworth was signed to a four-year contract prior to the 2009 season and started all 16 games in his first year in Baltimore, intercepting four passes and finishing with 53 tackles. He admitted his involvement in the collective bargaining agreement negotiations during last year’s lockout affected his ability to rehab his surgically-repaired knee, leading him to appear in only two games in 2011 before being placed on injured reserve.
