OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) – The Baltimore Ravens are expected to release former Pro Bowl cornerback Samari Rolle in the next few days, the player’s agent said Friday.

After Baltimore signed free agent Domonique Foxworth, Rolle figured his playing time with the Ravens would be limited. So he asked the team to grant him his release, and the Ravens are expected to comply.

“That’s our understanding,” said Peter Schaffer, Rolle’s agent.

Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome would not confirm the decision, saying only that Rolle has been invited back to play a fourth season in Baltimore.

But Rolle told The (Baltimore) Sun, “I anticipate it happening. I’m happy. Everyone got what they wanted out of this.”

The Ravens will save $4.1 million in salary-cap room.

Rolle, 32, played in all 16 games during his first two seasons with Baltimore. But he participated in only six games in 2007 after learning he had epilepsy, and in 2008 he missed six games – and the AFC championship – because of injuries.

Rolle launched his NFL career in 1998 with Tennessee and was named to the 2000 Pro Bowl.

His pending release means the Ravens will have cut ties with both their starting cornerbacks from a year ago. Chris McAlister was cut last month.

That leaves Foxworth and Fabian Washington as the top two cornerbacks on the depth chart.

Foxworth signed a four-year, $27.2 million contract with the Ravens that included $16.5 million in guaranteed money. He was drafted in the third round of the 2005 draft by Denver and traded last year to the Atlanta Falcons.

Washington, obtained in a draft-day trade with Oakland last April, took over at cornerback for McAlister in October. He started 12 games during the regular season and all three of Baltimore’s playoff games.

AP-ES-03-13-09 1822EDT

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