Eagles cut Tim Tebow a day after trading away Matt Barkley

Tim Tebow is the biggest name among NFL cuts for the second time in three years.

Tebow had seemingly won the No. 3 quarterback job when Philadelphia traded Matt Barkley to Arizona on Friday. But Coach Chip Kelly cut the unconventional quarterback who showed improved accuracy since his first stint in the NFL.

He completed 21 of 56 passes this preseason for 286 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He also ran for 82 yards and a score.

“We felt Tim has progressed, but we didn’t feel he was good enough to be the (No.) 3 right now,” Kelly said.

The 2007 Heisman Trophy winner was trying to return to the NFL after missing two seasons.

The Eagles currently have only two quarterbacks on the roster: Sam Bradford and Mark Sanchez. Bradford looked sharp in limited preseason action, but he had surgery to repair a torn left ACL twice since he last played in a regular-season game in October 2013.

“He really improved his throwing motion from when he was throwing a couple of years ago,” Kelly said of Tebow. “He worked extremely hard on it and deserves a lot of credit for that. I talked to him a little earlier (Saturday) when we released him.

“He just needs to get more playing time. Get out there and get actual reps. Because he has done a ton on his own from an individual basis, but it is about taking that next step and playing the game.”

The New England Patriots cut Tebow in 2013 after his failed attempt to back up Tom Brady following time with Broncos and the Jets.

Other notable players whose phones buzzed with that dreaded call to turn in their team-issued tablets were Cincinnati defensive tackle Devon Still and Broncos cornerback Tony Carter.

Still tweeted thanks to the Bengals and the city after he was released. Still’s 5-year-old daughter, Leah, has overcome cancer in the past year. The second-round pick from 2012 also was released last year, but the Bengals offered him a chance to stay on the practice squad to keep his medical coverage for his daughter. He was eventually added to the roster and played in 12 games.

“Have nothing but love for the Bengals organization and the city of Cincinnati. Both helped…” he tweeted.

The Bengals also put linebacker Vontaze Burfict on an injury list. He’ll be eligible to return after six weeks. Burfict is recovering from two knee operations.

In Denver, Carter, a seventh-year cornerback, and fourth-year linebacker Steven Johnson both tweeted that they’d been cut, as did Ben Garland, who was the starting left guard heading into training camp. Carter has been bothered by a pulled hamstring since Aug. 17.

In Pittsburgh, Doug Legursky’s return was short-lived. The Steelers signed him as a potential replacement for injured All-Pro center Maurkice Pouncey. Legursky started 17 games for the Steelers during his first stint in Pittsburgh from 2009-12, including the 2011 Super Bowl against Green Bay when Pouncey was hurt.

Griffin’s concussion doctor resigns

The independent neurological consultant who reversed course on Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III’s post-concussion playing status has resigned and been replaced as the team’s concussion doctor.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed to the Associated Press that Robert Kurtzke left the consultant program operated jointly by the league and the players’ union.

McCarthy said Kurtzke will stay on to continue to monitor Griffin’s status and determine when he can be cleared to play.

Etc.

The San Francisco 49ers have acquired center Nick Easton from the Baltimore Ravens for an undisclosed draft pick, giving the team a backup to Marcus Martin. The 49ers announced the trade Saturday and the deal was pending a physical. Martin is the slated starter as Daniel Kilgore recovers from a second procedure on his left fibula. ... The NFL has suspended starting right tackle Bobby Massie two games for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. Massie was arrested on an accusation of driving under the influence the night before the Super Bowl. The arrest was made at the Cardinals’ practice facility in Tempe. ...

Crews are inspecting the roof of the Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis after three people were injured by a bolt that fell during Thursday night’s Colts game against the Bengals. Two minutes before halftime a bolt was sheared off by the retractable roof as it was being opened. The bolt fell into a seating area, striking two men and a woman. All three suffered minor injuries. Colts fan Robert Fickle says the fallen bolt was the size of a half-roll of quarters.