Broncos expected to release Clarett

Maurice Clarett's first stab at the NFL will end the same way his last two seasons on the sideline did: no carries, no yards, one big disappointment.

Unable to practice much or play at all during the preseason, Clarett will be released by the Denver Broncos later this week, his agent said Sunday.

"The kid called me and let me know they're going to let him go," Feldman said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press.

Clarett's pending release also was reported by ESPN.com on Sunday.

Broncos spokesman Jim Saccomano said the team didn't plan to release anybody until Tuesday, which is the deadline for NFL teams to cut rosters to 65 players.

The pending release marks a disappointing start to the NFL career of the troubled former Ohio State running back, who missed two years of football after leading the Buckeyes to the national title in 2002.

Simon becomes free agent

The Philadelphia Eagles withdrew their franchise tag on former first-round draft pick Corey Simon on Sunday, making the defensive tackle an unrestricted free agent.

Simon was offered a one-year franchise tender worth about $5.13 million, but wanted a long-term contract, never signed the deal or reported to the minicamps or training camp. With the franchise tag, another team would have forfeited two first-round picks if they signed the former Pro Bowl lineman.

"I didn't expect them to lift the tag," Simon told The Philadelphia Inquirer. "This gives me a chance to be a free agent, but I have mixed feelings. I'm going to miss the guys I played with there and the coaches I played under. I had a great five years, and I enjoyed every minute of it."

Simon, 6-foot-2, 293 pounds, was the Eagles' first-round pick and the sixth overall selection in the 2000 draft. In five seasons with Philadelphia, Simon had 270 tackles and 32 sacks.

He set the Eagles' rookie record for sacks with 9.5 in 2000 -- including one of Dallas' Troy Aikman on his first career play.

Simon was selected for the Pro Bowl after recording 64 tackles and 7.5 sacks in 2003.

Benson signs with Bears

Running back Cedric Benson ended his 36-day holdout Sunday night, agreeing to a five-year contract with the Chicago Bears.

Benson, the No. 4 overall pick in this year's draft, was the last remaining first-round pick to sign. Terms were not available but reports said the Bears had offered a contract that contained $17 million in guaranteed money to the former Texas star.

The announcement of Benson's agreeing to terms came on the same day the Bears promoted another rookie, fourth-round pick Kyle Orton, to be the starting quarterback.