Devon Still Cut by Bengals: Latest Comments, Reaction

The Cincinnati Bengals released defensive lineman Devon Still—who garnered national headlines for his more important role of being a dad as his five-year-old daughter, Leah, battled cancer—as they trimmed their roster to 53 players Saturday.

ProFootballTalk first reported the Bengals' decision, with the team confirming the move via its Twitter account.

After the announcement, Still thanked the organization for all it had done for him:

Still shared the Jimmy V. Perseverance Award at the 2015 ESPYs with Leah after a year in which she fought Stage 4 neuroblastoma. In July, she went through her final day of radiation treatment and "rang the bell" to celebrate the occasion. Scans at the time showed she remained in remission.

Paul Dehner Jr. of the Cincinnati Enquirer noted Saturday that Still's presence on the Bengals' roster last year entitled him and his family to five years of health insurance, even if he's not on a team anymore.

The defensive tackle remained on the fringe of the roster throughout training camp and the preseason. He knew getting released was a possibility heading into the final cutdown but stated that the last 12 months have given him perspective, per Coley Harvey of ESPN.com.

"If I didn't go through what I went through last year, I'd have a tough time," Still said. "I've had to sit and wait through worse stuff than this."

Still played 30 games over three seasons in Cincinnati after the team selected him in the second round of the 2012 draft. The Penn State product registered 40 combined tackles in mostly a reserve role.

If another team doesn't pick him up in the immediate aftermath of roster cuts, Still should be one of the top veteran options available at defensive tackle as injuries come into play during the season.