The Chicago Bears have released defensive end Mark Anderson, Sean Jenson of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

A fifth-round pick out of Alabama in 2006, the 6-4, 255-pound Anderson burst onto the NFL scene with 12 quarterback sacks as a rookie. Anderson stepped into a starting role in 2007, but managed just five quarterback sacks before moving back to a role as a situational pass-rusher in 2008 and 2009, where he combined for 46 tackles and just 4.5 sacks.

Tendered at the "Second Round" level as a restricted free agent this off-season, Anderson had 8 tackles and no sacks in four games this season.