National Football League

Steelers set to release left tackle Starks

Published Jul. 27, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

Alex Marvez

The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to release left tackle Max Starks on Thursday, a source told FOXSports.com.

Starks had signed a four-year, $26.3 million contract extension that included a $10 million signing bonus in the 2009 offseason. The Steelers, though, still made a Super Bowl run without him last season after Starks missed the final nine regular-season games with a neck injury that required surgery.

The 29-year-old Starks was set to earn $5.14 million in 2011 according to rotoworld.com. Starks was drafted by Pittsburgh in 2004.

Pittsburgh’s other top offensive tackle – Willie Colon – also may not be back. Colon, who also missed all of last season with an injury, is an unrestricted free agent.