Buccaneers will cut Austin Seferian-Jenkins after DUI

Update: The Bucs have made it official, Austin Seferian-Jenkins has been waived. They promoted undrafted rookie fullback/tight end to the roster in his stead.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will release tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins after a DUI at 4 AM last night, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The tight end will be subject to waivers, which means anyone picking him up will also take on his current Bucs salary.

Seferian-Jenkins was the team’s second-round pick in 2014. The Bucs hoped he’d be their tight end of the future, but he’s been an inconsistent and oft-injured producer, despite occasionally dazzling with spectacular catches.

Seferian-Jenkins was kicked out of practice at one point this offseason, for not knowing what he was doing. He was then demoted to third-string tight end, but seemed to be on the right track this preseason. He made a crucial touchdown catch against the Atlanta Falcons in week one, but was mostly invisible last week — then again, so was most of the offense.

The Bucs tight end has 45 catches for 603 yards and seven touchdowns in his career. The Bucs will try to replace that with Cameron Brate, who has been inconsistent this year and is significantly less explosive.

For Sunday’s game, the Bucs will have to add another tight end, especially with blocking tight end Luke Stocker almost certainly out for the game. They’re likely to promote either Alan Cross or Dan Vitale, both rookies who are on the practice squad, though they’re more fullbacks than tight ends. Veteran Brandon Myers will also get an expanded role on offense.