Alterraun Verner Released by Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have released cornerback Alterraun Verner after three years with the organization, the team announced Thursday. 

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network first reported the news.

Verner appeared in all 16 games this past season but only started three, finishing with one interception and 16 tackles.

The 28-year-old cornerback was originally a fourth-round pick for the Tennessee Titans and quickly became one of the top players in the league at his position. He went to the Pro Bowl in 2013 and was named second-team All-Pro by the Associated Press.

This helped him earn a four-year deal worth $26.5 million with the Buccaneers that offseason.

Unfortunately, his career with Tampa Bay hasn't gone as expected. After starting all 14 games he played in 2014, he was relegated to a reserve role the next season. The team signed Brent Grimes and used a first-round draft pick on Vernon Hargreaves to fill out the starting secondary in 2016.

This depth made Verner expendable, although the Bucs will hope to improve a pass defense that finished just 22nd in the NFL last season.