The Indianapolis Colts have released Gosder Cherilus, who was their starting right tackle.

He was one of the main free-agent acquisitions by the Colts in 2013, when Cherilus signed a five-year, $34 million contract.

Cherilus battled knee, shoulder and groin problems last season before eventually being placed on injured reserve prior to the playoffs.

The 31-year-old Cherilus had offseason knee surgery, which kept him from taking part in organized team activities, including a mandatory three-day minicamp in June.

Indianapolis tried to restructure Cherilus' contract before cutting him, according to an NFL source. Cherilus' agent Greg Diulus also acknowledged contract negotiations when discussing his client's release.

Guaranteed contracts remain incredibly rare in the NFL as the league employs nearly four times the number of players as the NBA with higher rates of injuries.

No NFL players has been guaranteed more than $64 million, but that could change in the immediate future.

Andrew Luck is entering the fourth season of a five-year deal that will pay him $3.405 million in 2015 and, for the moment, $16.155 million in 2016. 

Jim Irsay has targeted this winter for contract talks.

Luck could command a five-year deal worth approximately $125 million. But he could also pursue a deal that is fully guaranteed or nearly fully guaranteed for an average closer to $20 million that would help the Indianapolis Colts build a team around him.

Andre Johnson had interest in playing for the Miami Dolphins, but the team didn't express interest in him during the offseason.

"I always had a dream of playing at home," Johnson recently told The Miami Herald. "I was a huge Dolphins fan. But they never called."

The Dolphins declined to comment when contacted by Around The NFL.

Miami signed Greg Jennings to fill their need for a veteran wide receiver.

Johnson eventually signed with the Indianapolis Colts.