INDIANAPOLIS » The Colts released starting center Samson Satele on Thursday, five days ahead of the start of free agency.

The Kailua and University of Hawaii alumnus was one of the first free agents Indianapolis signed two years ago when it started rebuilding, but he was hobbled by injuries in both seasons, missing eight games total. He missed only two total games in the five previous seasons with the Miami Dolphins and Oakland Raiders.

Indianapolis saves about $4 million under the $133 million salary cap.

The move came hours after Indy signed free agent linebacker D’Qwell Jackson in its first big offseason transaction.

Jackson, who spent his entire career with Cleveland until being released last week, signed a four-year, $22 million contract.

"It wasn’t a financial decision, it was a decision to be around a good group of guys first and foremost and the chance to get to a Super Bowl," Jackson said. "It wasn’t about money."

The 6-foot, 240-pound, eight-year veteran has been productive since Cleveland drafted took him in the second round of the 2006 draft. He started 96 games, had 891 career tackles, 111/2 sacks, eight interceptions, seven fumble recoveries and one touchdown. Last season, at age 30, he still led the Browns in tackles (143), posting his sixth 100-tackle season.