Lake Forest, IL -- (Sports Network) - Defensive end Dan Bazuin and linebacker Michael Okwo, a pair of first-day picks in the 2007 NFL Draft, were among the players released as the Chicago Bears pared their roster to the 53-man maximum on Saturday.

Bazuin, selected in the second round in '07, lost his entire rookie season to a knee injury and was not deemed ready to contribute to the Bears this season. The Central Michigan product has undergone two knee surgeries since being drafted.

Okwo, a third-round selection last season, never saw any regular season action as a Bear either. The Stanford alumnus injured his shoulder late in the 2007 preseason and didn't impress the coaching staff enough during his second training camp with the club.

Also excised on Saturday were punter Zacrey Atterberry, defensive end Ervin Baldwin, tackle Cody Balogh, cornerback Trey Brown, defensive end Joe Clermond, long snapper Thomas Gafford, wide receiver Mike Hass, linebacker Joey LaRocque, tight end Fontel Mines, offensive lineman Anthony Oakley, defensive end Nick Osborn, safety Leonard Peters, guard Ryan Poles, running back P.J. Pope, guard Tyler Reed, receiver Brandon Rideau, and tight end Marcus Stone.

Of that group, notables include Hass and Oakley, both of whom spent time on Chicago's active roster last season, and Rideau, who led all NFL receivers with three touchdown catches during the 2008 preseason.

The Bears open their regular season on Sept. 7th, when they travel to meet the Indianapolis Colts in a primetime matchup.