Hours after releasing Cullen Jenkins, Philadelphia Eagles cut Mike Patterson

The bloodletting continued with the release of defensive tackle Mike Patterson a few hours after the Eagles let fellow defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins go on Monday.

Like Jenkins, Patterson's release did not come as a surprise. The Eagles' longest-tenured player was slated to earn slightly over $4 million next season.

The team saved itself at least $8 million by parting ways with the veterans. With Patterson, 29, and Jenkins, 32, gone, the Eagles have only four defensive tackles on the roster -- Fletcher Cox, Cedric Thornton, Antonio Dixon and Derek Landri.

Landri becomes an unrestricted free agent next month and is not expected to return. Cox, Thornton and Dixon could be the centerpieces on a revamped line in the Eagles' new scheme.

If the team employs the 4-3 "under" defense that new coordinator Billy Davis ran in Arizona, Cox would likely be the three-technique defensive tackle, Thornton the strong-side defensive end and Dixon the nose tackle.

The Eagles still have free agency and the draft, of course, to add more pieces.

They now have more than $30 million in salary cap space.

With Patterson's release, tackle Todd Herremans and defensive end Trent Cole become the longest-tenured Eagles. Herremans (fourth round) and Cole (fifth round) were drafted after the Eagles selected Patterson with the 31st overall pick in the 2005 NFL draft.

"I want to thank the fans for all of their support over eight years in Philadelphia," Patterson said in a statement released by the Eagles. "It is never easy to say goodbye to a fan base that supported me no matter what.

"My goal was to come to work every day to try and make the Philadelphia Eagles the best organization we could be. The Eagles organization has treated me and my family with nothing but respect since the day I was drafted and I wish Mr. Lurie, Howie, the new coaches and all of my teammates all the best going forward."

Patterson played in only five games last season. He underwent surgery to remove an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) from his brain in Jan. 2012, and needed 10 months before he was cleared to play in October.

He was diagnosed with pneumonia in December and was placed on the Non-Football injury list with three games left in the season. The move would have saved the Eagles approximately $150,000, but after Patterson's agents threatened to file a grievance and the public outcry, the Eagles agreed to pay Patterson his full salary.

"Mike Patterson is one of the toughest players I have ever been around in the National Football League," Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said in a statement. "He has overcome many obstacles throughout his career and I have the upmost respect for him because of it. Coach [Chip] Kelly and I each had great conversations with him today. He is a class act."

Patterson suffered a seizure caused by his AVM during an Aug. 2011 training camp practice. He missed all of the preseason, but returned for the season opener and played in 15 games as he held off surgery.

In eight seasons with the Eagles, Patterson started in 99 of 115 games played. He recorded 551 tackles, 16-1/2 sacks, forced four fumbles and had one interception.

He was reveared for his easy-going demeanor and was named the Eagles' 2011 Ed Block Courage Award recipient in a vote by his teammates.