Upset at his lack of conditioning and poor offseason focus, the Baltimore Ravens on Monday waived backup tailback Jason Brookins, ESPN.com has learned.

The release of Brookins, 26, was surprising because the second-year veteran is a player of great promise, and his departure again leaves the Ravens thin at the position.

Brookins is likely to be claimed by another team.

A former Lane College standout, Brookins was the Ravens' second-leading rusher for the 2001 season, carrying 151 times for 551 yards and five touchdowns. Brookins also had six catches for 45 yards. The season-ending knee injury sustained by starter Jamal Lewis last summer catapulted Brookins to the top of the depth chart.

Baltimore subsequently signed veteran free agent Terry Allen to be its lead tailback, but Brookins still played in 12 games, starting three.

Lewis, who rushed for 1,364 yards in his 2000 rookie season, helping lead Baltimore to a Super Bowl championship, is still rehabilitating from knee surgery but club officials feel he will be ready for training camp in two months.

But beyond Lewis, there is no proven backup, at least not on the current roster. Baltimore invested a sixth-round draft choice last month on Chester Taylor of Toledo. There are six other tailbacks on the roster, but all of them are either undrafted free agents or players who have previously been in NFL camps but remain untested.

The Ravens may sign a veteran tailback, to serve as an insurance policy, before camp.

Brookins is a big, physical back capable of pounding defenders. But his weight has been a problem and, while he is listed at 225 pounds, sources said he ballooned to more than 250 pounds this spring.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.