CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns terminated the contract of defensive lineman Orpheus Roye today, cutting loose one of their most productive players ahead of free agency.

A 12-year veteran, Roye battled knee injuries the past two seasons. The 35-year-old was scheduled to make $3 million in 2008.

Roye had a career-high 95 tackles for the Browns in 2005. He made five starts last season, appeared in 13 games and finished with 34 tackles.

"Orpheus has been a mainstay for the Browns since 2000 with his reliable play and overall dependability," Browns general manager Phil Savage said in a statement. "A professional in every sense of the word. These are the kinds of decisions that make this a difficult time of year."

Roye was drafted by Pittsburgh in 1996 and spent four seasons with the Steelers before joining the Browns as a free agent.