ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) Veteran running back and respected team leader Fred Jackson has been released by the Buffalo Bills.

With nine seasons in Buffalo, the 34-year-old Jackson had been the second-longest serving active player and one of the team's most popular players among fans.

The move came as a slight surprise, though Jackson's tenure was in question because of his age and the team's moves to restock its running backs this
offseason.

The Bills acquired LeSean McCoy in a trade with Philadelphia to take over the No. 1 spot, and also selected hard-hitting rusher Karlos Williams in the draft.

Buffalo's depth chart at running back also includes Boobie Dixon and Bryce Brown.

Jackson was one of 12 players cut on Monday, when all NFL teams had to reduce their roster to 75 players.

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