The San Diego Chargers have released starting SS Clinton Hart, a league source told Scout.com. To replace Hart on their 53-man roster, the Chargers signed free-agent DT Ian Scott.

Hart, who league sources said has struggled all season in pass coverage, is signed through 2012. A source said while Hart's salary cap number for 2009 was just over $2.6 million, the team already paid him a roster bonus of $1.2 million earlier this year. He carried a base salary of $1.3 million.

Hart joined the Chargers in 2004 and has been a starting safety since 2007. He signed the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2002 after playing in various levels of Arena Football the previous two seasons.

Scott, a seven-year veteran, joined the Chargers last September and appeared in four games with San Diego. He spent the entire 2009 offseason with the club and was released at the conclusion of training camp.

Third-year S Steve Gregory, who signed an extension in 2008, is a possible replacement as is rookie S Kevin Ellison. However, a source said Ellison might have the inside track on the job opening because he has a little more size than Gregory. Gregory has appeared in all four games played so far by the Chargers and has started one. Ellison has only appeared in one game and hasn't recorded a tackle.

For more on the Chargers, check out SD Bolt Report.

To get caught up on all the latest breaking news around the NFL along with insider analysis, sign up for Adam Caplan's Twitter Updates.