Steelers near a decision to release Hines Ward: report

Thirty-five year old wide receiver Hines Ward is about to be released by the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to a report.

Hines Ward lost his starting job in 2011. NFL Network's Jason La Canfora cites unnamed sources familiar with the situation in his report on the matter.

The Steelers have cap issues and Ward's play during the 2011 was decidedly sub-par. Pittsburgh is roughly $10 million over the salary cap and Ward is owed $4 million going into the final year of his contract. He finished the past season fourth in team receiving behind Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders, and averaged 8.3 yards per catch with only two touchdowns on 46 receptions, which was his lowest number of receptions since his rookie year in 1998.

Ward, who turns 36 March 8, recently had surgery to remove bone fragments from his right ankle. The surgery was said to be minor. Ward is due a roster bonus next month in addition to the aforementioned $4 million contract. Sources say that Ward is open to a restructured deal. The Steelers must make a decision by March 1 due to a clause in Ward's contract. By March 1st, they either have to release him or guarantee him a spot for the 2012 season.

Ward's last season with over 1,000 yards receiving was 2009, when he had 95 receptions for 1,167 yards, a 12.3 yard average, and six touchdowns. In 2010, he had 59 receptions for 755 yards, a 12.8 yard average, and five touchdowns.

Hines Ward has played his entire NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers since joining the team in 1998. Ward is a 4 time Pro Bowl selection (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004), Super Bowl MVP (of Super Bowl XL), 2 time Super Bowl Champion (XL, XLIII), and 3 time Steelers MVP (2002, 2003, 2005). He also holds the Pittsburgh Steelers record for Receptions, Receiving Yards, & Receiving TDs.

Overall, for his career, Hines Ward has exactly 1,000 receptions, for 12,083 Receiving Yards and 85 Receiving TDs.

Although his NFL statistics weren't so hot last season, he was a winner in other ways. On May 24, 2011, Hines Ward and his partner Kym Johnson won season 12 of the American TV dance competition Dancing with the Stars. Meanwhile, Ward will make an appearance as a member of the fictional Gotham Rogues football team in the upcoming 2012 film The Dark Knight Rises, which is the third film in the Christian Bale as Batman series.

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