Eagles releasing Ryan Mathews after he is medically cleared

— -- The Philadelphia Eagles are releasing running back Ryan Mathews after he was medically cleared to practice on Tuesday, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Mathews suffered a herniated disk in his neck last season in a Week 16 game against the New York Giants.

The long-expected move gives the team $4 million in cap relief.

The Eagles signed LeGarrette Blount to a one-year, $1.25 million deal this offseason to serve as the lead back. Blount established career highs in carries (299), rushing yards (1,161) and rushing touchdowns (18) in 2016 for the world-champion New England Patriots. He will share the load in Philly with a group that is expected to include 34-year-old Darren Sproles, second-year back Wendell Smallwood and rookie Donnel Pumphrey.

Mathews, a seven-year veteran, had an up-and-down 2016 season due in part to injury, finishing with 661 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. He also had 13 receptions for 115 yards and a touchdown.

He was entering the final season of a three-year contract he signed with the Eagles in 2015 and was scheduled to make a base salary of $4 million this season.

Mathews, 30, spent the first five seasons of his career with the Chargers, who drafted him 12th overall in the 2010 draft.

Twice he rushed for over 1,000 yards in San Diego (1,091 in 2011 and 1,255 in 2013). He earned the only Pro Bowl selection of his career in 2011 when he also set career bests with 50 receptions and 455 receiving yards.

Fumbling has been a problem for Mathews in his career, however. Since entering the league in 2010, Mathews has lost 12 fumbles. Only? Frank Gore?(14) has lost more but Mathews has 613 fewer rushes in that span, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

ESPN's Tim McManus contributed to this report.