CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals have parted ways with Levi Jones, terminating the contract of their starting offensive tackle and former first-round pick.

The move Wednesday was expected. He has been bothered by knee and leg problems in recent years.

Cincinnati took tackle Andre Smith of Alabama with the sixth overall pick in last month's draft.

Jones' agent, Ken Zuckerman, had said the Bengals told him in March they planned to trade or release him.

The Bengals selected Jones 10th overall in 2002. He played in 94 games for Cincinnati, missing final six games last season because of an injury.

He got a six-year extension before the 2006 season, which was the last on his previous contract. He was paid $21 million over the first three years of the deal.