The Eagles have released defensive end Jason Babin in just the second season into his five-year contract, the team announced on Tuesday.

Babin, 32, finished third in the NFL with 18.0 sacks and made his second straight Pro Bowl last season, but has recorded only 5.5 sacks in 2012 for the floundering team, which has lost seven straight games and also placed star receiver Desean Jackson on IR on Tuesday.

He signed a five-year deal worth approximately $28 million to reunite with former Titans defensive line coach Jim Washburn as part of the Eagles’ free agent spree in the summer of 2011. The team’s statement on the move read as follows, according to CSNPhilly.com:

“We appreciate everything that Jason has given this team over the last couple of years,” head coach Andy Reid said in a statement. “We wish him all the best as he continues his career. By releasing him today, this gives us an opportunity to give more playing time to some of younger guys in the defensive line rotation.”

Babin will now go through the waiver process and likely clear waivers because he is owed $1.64 million over the rest of the season, according to NFL Network’s Albert Breer.

And even though $1.64M may not seem like a lot, for 5 games of work, it is … so pretty decent chance that Babin clears waivers.—
Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) November 27, 2012

Any team that claims him would owe him $4.225 million in base salary next year. Teams with the worst records get the highest waiver priority, but USA Today‘s Mike Garafalo speculated that a contending team could pick him up:

I know he hasn't had a great year but Jason Babin is now there to give a playoff team another pass rusher. That's remarkable.—
Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) November 27, 2012

Eagles defensive end Jason Babin hurt his calf during training camp and will have an MRI on Sunday. (Jay Drowns/Getty Images)

The Philadelphia Eagles’ quest for a Super Bowl took a little hit on Saturday when wideout Riley Cooper and defensive end Jason Babin were injured during training camp.

Cooper broke his left collarbone and Babin sustained a calf strain and left practice early and will have an MRI Sunday.

“I think it’s a bump in the road,” Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said told Philly.com about Cooper. ”He’ll recover from it. He’s had a good offseason and because he’s had that offseason he’s gotten a lot of reps … and gotten stronger and got more knowledge of our system and that will benefit him when he’s ready to come back.”‘

Babin led the Eagles with 18 sacks last season and Cooper had 16 catches for 315 yards and one touchdown.