Tempe, AZ (My Sportsbook) - Tight end Leonard Pope was among the 21 players released by the Arizona Cardinals on Friday, as the team reached the 53-man roster limit.

The Georgia product recorded 48 receptions for 476 yards and five TDs in three seasons with Arizona. A third-round pick in the 2006 draft, Pope played all 16 games his rookie season before playing in 13 games apiece over the last two years.

With Pope being the only tight end released, Dominique Byrd, Anthony Becht and Stephen Spach are the available tight ends for the Cardinals in Week 1 of the regular season. Tight end Ben Patrick is serving a four-game suspension for violating the league's substances policy and will not count against the roster until his suspension ends.

Fifth-year pro safety Aaron Francisco was also released on Friday. Francisco was one of Arizona's special teams captains from last year.

Other players released included linebackers Chase Bullock, Victor Hobson and David Holloway, guards Carlton Medder and Trevor Canfield, center Melvin Fowler, tackle Oliver Ross, fullbacks Tim Castille and Reagan Maui'a, cornerbacks Jameel Dowling and Wilrey Fontenot, defensive tackles Keilen Dykes and Rodney Leisle, defensive end Alex Field, wide receivers Ed Gant, Onrea Jones and Steve Sanders, quarterback Tyler Palko and running back Chris Vincent.

Arizona hosts the 49ers on Sunday, September 13 in its regular-season opener.