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Tampa Bay Buccaneers cut Amobi Okoye, to sign with Chicago Bears

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LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 23: Zac Diles #53 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Amobi Okoye #91 of the Chicago Bears shake hands after the NFL International Series match between Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Wembley Stadium on October 23, 2011 in London, England. This is the fifth occasion where a regular season NFL match has been played in London. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, defensive tackle Amobi Okoye has been released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and will re-join the Chicago Bears instead. Okoye was signed as depth behind three-technique defensive tackle Gerald McCoy this offseason and had seemingly cemented his spot on the roster when DT Brian Price was traded to the Chicago Bears earlier this offseason. Okoye, though, has struggled to get on the field due to a knee injury and has only played sparingly this preseason. Apparently, the Bucs have had enough and are letting the experienced DT walk to re-join the Chicago Bears. The Bears appear to be a haven for former Bucs defensive lineman, with Brian Price, Amobi Okoye and the late Gaines Adams making the move from one team to the other. Releasing Okoye will cost the Bucs $700,000 in guaranteed money.

The release of Okoye leaves the Bucs thin at defensive tackle, with Gerald McCoy and Roy Miller the only dependable players on the roster. Behind them, the Bucs have DT Gary Gibson, who hasn't shown much during the preseason, and a few swing defensive linemen who can play both end and tackle. Michael Bennett and E.J. Wilson are likely to make the team, and both can play multiple positions along the defensive line. DE Wallace Gilberry could also make the line, and he too can play both end and DT.

Roster cuts so far today: S Larry Asante, RB Mossis Madu, DT Frank Okam, CB James Rogers, LB Rennie Curran, DT Amobi Okoye.

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

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