The Green Bay Packers have signed DE Phillip Merling and released TE Cameron Ford and QB Nick Hill. The transactions were announced Wednesday by Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations Ted Thompson.

Merling, a 6-foot-5, 315-pound fifth-year player out of Clemson, played for the Miami Dolphins each of the past four seasons (2008-11) after being drafted by Miami in the second round (32nd overall) in 2008. He played in 46 games with three starts for the Dolphins, recording 66 tackles (50 solo), 3½ sacks, two fumble recoveries, an interception that he returned for a TD, and eight passes defensed.

Merling was a three-year letterman at Clemson (2005-07) and earned second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors as a junior, his final season with the Tigers. He will wear No. 69.

Ford, a rookie out of Wake Forest, signed with the team as a non-drafted free agent on May 3.

Hill, a first-year-player out of Southern Illinois, signed with the team on Jan. 20.