Two-time Super Bowl champion James Harrison, who is Pittsburgh's franchise sack leader, was released by the Steelers on Saturday, the National Football League team announced.

The 38-year-old linebacker Harrison had been given a reduced role with the team and has made just one sack and three tackles this season.

The Steelers cut Harrison loose to find space for right tackle Marcus Gilbert who is returning from a four-game suspension for violating the league's anti-drug policy.

"To make room on the roster, the Steelers released linebacker James Harrison," the team said in a news release on their website.

Harrison started 107 of 177 regular season games with the Steelers, making 80 career sacks.

Harrison, who has openly complained about his lack of playing time this season, was signed to a two-year contract in March.