The Ravens have released former Heisman Trophy QB Troy Smith and WR Demetrius Williams and have placed S Ed Reed on the physically-unable-to-perform list.

Smith, who came off the bench for the Ravens and was having a decent preseason, was deemed unnecessary when the Ravens signed backup Marc Bulger in the offseason. They will keep two quarterbacks on the 53-man roster, including starter Joe Flacco.

“The competition to make our team was very heated, and we decided to keep a position player rather than a third quarterback," GM Ozzie Newsome said. "We have a number of young guys who made our team who have tremendous upside, plus they can help us win this year."

Williams, a former fourth-round pick, never fulfilled his potential with the team.

Reed was moved from the active/physically-unable-to-perform list to the reserve/PUP list, which means he will be eligible to return to the active roster after the first six weeks of the regular season.

For authoritative coverage and analysis of NFL news, free agency and fantasy football, visit ProFootballWeekly.com.