Ravens return, but will cut 4 to reduce salary cap

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — The Baltimore Ravens have told running back Willis McGahee and former Pro Bowl tight end Todd Heap they will be cut.

Wide receiver Derrick Mason and nose tackle Kelly Gregg also were told their contracts will be terminated.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh, who welcomed several players to the team’s training complex on Tuesday, confirmed the cuts. The moves won’t become official until Thursday.

The cuts will save Baltimore an estimated $18.6 million in salary-cap money. McGahee , the backup to Ray Rice last year, was slated to make $6 million in 2011.

Heap and Gregg have been battling injuries in recent seasons and Mason is 37 years old.

Harbaugh says there’s a chance they will “bring some of those guys back.”