Considering the average length of the majority of NFL careers, Dre Kirkpatrick had a great run in Cincinnati. Be that as it may, Kirkpatrick’s time with the Bengals has come to an end.

In a move first reported by Ben Baby of ESPN, the Bengals have released the veteran defensive back on Tuesday. Cincinnati selected Kirkpatrick out of Alabama in the 1st round (with the 17th overall selection) of the 2012 NFL Draft.

Kirkpatrick played eight seasons with the Bengals, making 302 tackles, 10 interceptions, two defensive touchdowns, and 65 passes defended. Last season, he appeared in only six games, which was the fewest of his NFL career.

Until last fall, Kirkpatrick had never failed to appear in less than 13 games outside of his rookie season in the NFL, in which he appeared in just five games.

The Gadsden, Ala., native played for the Crimson Tide from 2009 until 2011, where he made 91 tackles, three interceptions and defended 16 passes for Nick Saban’s Alabama defense.

Following the news of his release from the Bengals, Kirkpatrick shared this message on his Instagram account: