Buccaneers release Tom Crabtree

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have released tight end Tom Crabtree, the fourth-year veteran announced on Twitter. Crabtree was signed by the Buccaneers as a free agent last season after spending his first three years with the Green Bay Packers, but had a disappointing first year. His signing was based on the athletic potential he showed in Green Bay, but injuries prevented him from turning that potential into production.

I've been released. Thank you to Lovie and the rest of the new staff for giving me a shot. That's a great group of guys. Expect big things.

— Tom Crabtree (@itsCrab) May 17, 2014

The signing of Brandon Myers and drafting of Austin Seferian-Jenkins didn't leave much room on the roster for Crabtree, who couldn't get on the field last season due to a persistent high-ankle sprain and the emergence of receiving tight end Tim Wright. Crabtree managed just four catches for 21 yards in seven games in his lone season in Tampa. 

The Bucs currently have four tight ends on the roster in Brandon Myers, Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Tim Wright and Luke Stocker. The first three are almost guaranteed roster spot, but Stocker has been a non-factor throughout his first three years in the league, in part due to injuries. The Bucs also invited two undrafted right ends to their rookie minicamp on a tryout basis in Alabama State's Jamel Johnson and UC-Davis' Taylor Sloat.