The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have released defensive tackle Jerel Worthy.
Worthy, a fifth-year veteran who previously played for Green Bay, Kansas City and Buffalo, joined the Buccaneers late in training camp on August 20. He made the 53-man roster and played a part in the team's defensive tackle rotation, which had been thinned by injuries to Vita Vea and Mitch Unrein. Worthy saw 72 snaps on defense through the first four games, contributing three tackles.
The Buccaneers' injury situation at defensive tackle is beginning to improve, however. Vea, the team's first-round draft pick this past spring, made his NFL debut on Sunday in Chicago and absorbed 33 snaps. The team has also used defensive end William Gholston extensively on the inside and could get defensive tackle Beau Allen back from a foot injury following the bye.
The Buccaneers did not announce a complementary move to Worthy's release and thus have an open spot on the 53-man roster. With the bye week just beginning, there is less urgency to fill that spot, though it surely won't remain vacant for long.
