The Pittsburgh Steelers are right in the middle of purging older players with bigger contracts from their roster, having already announced the releases of wide receiver Hines Ward and defensive end Aaron Smith The latest to get a visit from the Turk in Pittsburgh is offensive lineman Chris Kemoeatu according to Mark Kaboly of the PIttsburgh Tribune-Review.

Chris Kemoeatu released — Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly_Trib) March 1, 2012

With these releases, Kaboly notes that the Steelers have purged a total of $41 million in salary, but not necessarily off of the salary cap. Kemoeatu had started at guard for the Steelers since the 2008 season and was known as a mauler on the inside in the running game. When healthy, Kemoeatu was a good player, but just couldn't stay healthy the past three seasons.

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