Rams release stars James Laurinaitis, Chris Long

Colt McCoy (16) is sacked by St. Louis Rams middle linebacker James Laurinaitis (55) and defensive end Robert Quinn (94) during the second half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md. (Nick Wass/AP)

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Rams released veterans James Laurinaitis and Chris Long, and also cut tight end Jared Cook on Friday.

In what appears a salary-cap purge as the team relocates from St. Louis, the Rams departed with star linebacker Laurinaitis and defensive end Long. Laurinaitis has been one of the NFL’s leading tacklers throughout his seven-year pro career. Long, the son of Hall of Famer Howie Long, has been their top pass rusher for most of his eight seasons.

Cook joined the Rams as a free agent before the 2013 season and set franchise records for most receiving yards by a tight end both in a single season (671 in 2013) and in a single game (141 on Sept. 8, 2013 vs. Arizona).

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