Redskins Release Wilkinson

The Washington Redskins took a huge moneysaving gamble Tuesday, releasing defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson over a contract dispute even though they lack a proven starter to replace him.

The Redskins and Wilkinson couldn’t agree on a deal to cut his team-high $3.5-million salary. Owner Dan Snyder’s negotiations with agent Brig Owens continued even as Wilkinson stood on the field watching the second day of training-camp practice, but a compromise could not be reached.

“We couldn’t continue this any longer, didn’t need the distraction anymore,” vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato said. “That’s why we’ve done it when we’ve done it.”

The Redskins and Wilkinson agreed to cut his salary to $2 million, but Wilkinson wanted incentives that Cerrato said would make it “very easy” to make back the $1.5 million. Cerrato said the team countered by offering incentives based on Wilkinson’s average playing time over the last five years, structured so they would not count against the salary cap.

“We felt like we offered a very fair package that would enable him to get all his money,” Cerrato said.

Wilkinson said the Redskins’ proposal offered “no sense of security.”

Wilkinson, 30, had a career-low 17 tackles and no sacks last season. He played part of the year with a bad wrist and missed the final month because of a calf injury.

With Wilkinson gone, fourth-year player Jermaine Haley becomes the first-string left tackle.

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Jacksonville tackle John Henderson had shortness of breath and was taken to a Jacksonville, Fla., hospital, the second Jaguar player to have problems with the heat at training camp.

The 6-foot-7, 310-pound Henderson was released from the hospital a few hours later, but it wasn’t immediately known when he would be back at practice.

At the end of practice Tuesday morning, Henderson went to the sideline and dropped to his knees.

He was quickly surrounded by trainers, who laid him on the ground, stripped off his uniform and sponged him down with ice and cold water.

On Sunday, 310-pound defensive lineman Larry Smith collapsed on the field and was taken to a hospital.

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Detroit Lion receiver Charles Rogers, the second pick in the NFL draft, dislocated his left ring finger during practice. Coach Steve Mariucci said Rogers had an “open dislocation” that required a couple of stitches.

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Denver Bronco rookie defensive tackle Nick Eason didn’t show up for practice and the team wasn’t sure where he was.

Gene Krcelic, one of Eason’s agents, said Eason was still in the Denver area and probably will return in a day or two. Krcelic said he had not spoken to Eason but had spoken with his family.

“I don’t know if it’s a personal problem, I don’t know if he got tired of football,” Bronco Coach Mike Shanahan said.

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St. Louis signed first-round draft pick Jimmy Kennedy, a defensive tackle from Penn State, to a five-year deal.... Linebacker Terrell Suggs agreed to a five-year contract with Baltimore .... Safety Ainsley Battles signed with Buffalo.