The New Orleans Saints have released veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks, the team announced Wednesday.
He will become a free agent if he goes unclaimed on waivers.
The Saints signed wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. off their practice squad in a corresponding move.
Cooks, 32, signed a two-year deal worth up to $13 million to return to the Saints in March but was not a major factor in the offense, finishing fifth on the team in receptions in the first half of the season.