MADISON, Wis. -- The Philadelphia Eagles have announced they have released cornerback and former fourth-round draft pick Jack Ikegwuonu, a former star for the Wisconsin Badgers and the Madison Memorial Spartans.

Some experts believed that Ikegwuonu had first-round talent, but after leaving Wisconsin, he blew out his knee while preparing for the 2008 NFL Draft.

He was drafted by the Eagles, but was put on the physically unable to perform list to start last season. This year he had not seen any playing time until Sunday when the Eagles played the Chicago Bears.

The Eagles replaced Ikegwuonu with cornerback Geoffrey Pope (6-0, 186). Pope started the 2009 season on the Cincinnati Bengals active roster and appeared in four games, playing mostly on special teams. He was waived on Oct. 8, but was signed to their practice squad the next day and has been there for the balance of the year.