MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The Minnesota Vikings have releases veteran wide receiver Marcus Robinson, two days after he candidly spoke out in an interview with the St. Paul Pioneer Press about the problems the Vikings have with communication this season.
Robinson was cut with one game left in the season. But because he is a vested veteran, he already has his $2 million salary for this season guaranteed.
Robinson started 19 of the 41 games in which he's played in his three seasons with the Vikings. He caught 107 passes for 1,553 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Robinson and coach Brad Childress have had a strained relationship. The two never saw eye-to-eye about Robinson's role in the offense. The veteran receiver had been deactivated for several games this season, despite being healthy enough to play and being arguably the Vikings' most consistent receiver.
The 31-year-old Robinson has 29 catches for 381 yards and a team-leading four touchdowns this season.
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A Vikings spokesman confirmed that Robinson had been released and said the team would have no further comment.
Every team has a chance to claim Robinson's contract, which includes the 2007 season at a cost of $2 million. A team that claims him also would have to pay him roughly $117,000 for the final game of this season.
Among the teams that could be interested: the Indianapolis Colts, San Diego Chargers, Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens.
"I have a glimmer of hope, going somewhere and being productive for another team," Robinson told the Pioneer Press. "Teams need to know that I'm a guy who wants to go out and prove himself as a guy that can do all the things I used to, when given the opportunity."
Robinson said he felt cornered into going public with his concerns to the Pioneer Press in an interview that was published Saturday. He was upset that Childress had told the media that he was injured and couldn't play in a game against the New York Jets when he felt he was healthy.
"Are you supposed to say, 'Yeah, I'm down because I'm hurting,' when you're not? Do you basically lie?" Robinson said. "I couldn't do that."
The NFL Players Association might investigate the Vikings' reasoning for abruptly releasing Robinson, with one game remaining, the Pioneer Press said. The NFLPA already has one grievance from a released Vikings receiver, Koren Robinson, who is seeking a significant portion of the three-year, $12.7 million contract he signed in March after his release in August, 11 days after he was arrested following a high-speed chase that ended near the Minnesota State Mankato campus.
Which reason the Vikings filed as a reason for releasing Marcus Robinson could draw criticism. The Vikings were 0-5 in games he did not play and 6-4 in ones he did. He also led the team with four receiving touchdowns.
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The Pioneer Press also reported last week that the NFL is considering fining the Vikings for not reporting Robinson's hip injury last week, a league spokesman said at the time.
