The Arizona Cardinals released running back Beanie Wells, the team announced on Monday.

Wells, the Cardinals first round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft out of Ohio State, appeared in just eight games -- seven starts -- last season, rushing for 234 yards and five touchdowns on 88 carries.

Wells has appeared in 51 career games with Arizona, rushing for 2,417 yards and 24 touchdowns on 625 carries.

The Cardinals also released running back Fozzy Whittaker. The undrafted rookie from Texas spent the final three weeks of the 2012 season on Arizona's practice squad and signed a futures contract with the team on Jan. 11.