CLEVELAND -- Browns starting right tackle Tony Pashos is "really upset'' about being released by the Browns after he played all last season on a ruptured tendon in his left foot that required surgery, his agent Rick Smith told the Plain Dealer today.

The Browns will release Pashos, who underwent the surgery last Tuesday, on the basis that he failed his physical, Smith said. The move is expected to by made by Tuesday, when free agency begins.

Pashos, who was set to make $3.35 million in 2012, will receive $1 million for injury protection per the collective bargaining agreement.

"Tony feels like he had the team's back last season,'' said Smith. "He wishes the team had his back now.''

The Browns declined to comment through team spokesman Neal Gulkis.

Smith explained that Pashos, 31, completely ruptured the peroneus longus tendon in his left foot during the final preseason game, but that the peroneus brevis tendon remained intact.

Because the one tendon was intact, Pashos was told he could either have the surgery right away, or "basically gut through it'' and repair it after the season, Smith said. He was told the rehab would take about 9-10 months.

"Because the team lacked depth on the offensive line, especially at right tackle, Tony wanted to help the team,'' said Smith. "He knew what he was doing.''

Pashos sat out the first three regular season games, and then returned on the injured tendon.

"But in order to be able to do that, he had to be given an enormous amount of pain pills and shots,'' said Smith. "It was an enormous amount, to the point where at Christmas, he went into the hospital with three ulcers from the pain medication. You can see that he missed the final regular season game, because he was in the hospital with the ulcers.''

Smith stressed that Browns head trainer Joe Sheehan had Pashos' back throughout the season.

"Joe told Tony 'at any point, if you want to shut this down, I'll go upstairs and shut this down for you,''' said Smith. "Joe was real good to Tony. But Tony wanted to continue to try to help the team.''

Smith said Pashos had to wait until last Tuesday to have the surgery because of the ulcers.

"While Tony was in the hospital, I got the call from the Browns giving me the heads up that they were releasing him,'' said Smith. "When Tony called the Browns, they told him he was a warrior.

"But he's not a warrior. He's somebody's son, somebody's husband, somebody's father. He's a guy trying to support his family.''

Smith said Pashos, who's heading into his 10th season, will be out for eight or nine months, which means he'll miss most or all of next season.

"He's going to do whatever it takes (to play again), but the last film on him is him playing half speed,'' said Smith.

He said Pashos never used the foot as an excuse last season, even though he occasionally took some heat for his performance. "He didn't hide behind the injury,'' said Smith. "You never heard a word out of him all year.''

He said the Browns could've placed Pashos on the physically unable to perform list and let him rehab with the Browns, or they could've reduced his salary. As it is, the Browns will save about $2 million on the salary cap, which will put them about $19.4 million under the cap heading into free agency.

"Tony really bought into what the Browns were selling,'' said Smith. "Now he's off on his own.''

Pashos signed with the Browns as a free agent in 2010, earning $4 million in salary and bonuses his first year and $2.2 million in 2011. He played in only six games in 2010 because of an ankle injury that landed him on injured reserve.