Buccaneers' Alterraun Verner: Will be released Thursday

Verner will be released by the Buccaneers on Thursday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Verner would have been owed $6.5 million in 2017. He saw a reduced workload in 2016 compared to his first two seasons in Tampa Bay, recording only 16 tackles compared to 76 and 56 in 2014 and 2015, respectively. A big reason for this regression was the emergence of rookie Vernon Hargreaves, who took over as the starting corner opposite Brent Grimes last season and racked up 76 tackles, one interception and one forced fumble. Verner still has value as a defender, and should find himself on an NFL roster come September.