The Tampa Bay Buccaneers released veteran offensive lineman J.R. Sweezy on Friday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reported.
Sweezy missed OTAs and mandatory minicamp this offseason as he works his way back from a broken bone in his leg which he suffered late last season.
Sweezy, 29, signed a big five-year, $32.5 million deal with the Bucs in 2016 after spending his first four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. However, he missed the entire 2016 season with Tampa Bay due to back surgery.
After having his contract restructured due to the injury, he played and started 14 games at right guard for the Bucs last season. He was due to make $6.5 million in 2018.
With Sweezy’s release, third-year guard Caleb Benenoch will be a strong contender to take over as the team’s starting right guard this year. Benenoch started five games in 13 appearances last season.
Ali Marpet is another likely candidate for that spot, especially after the team’s signing of center Ryan Jensen this offseason. Marpet was the team’s starter at right tackle for two years prior to Sweezy’s signing. The Bucs also selected Alex Cappa out of Humboldt State in the third round of this year's draft and could see some time at the position.
As for Sweezy, Garafolo believes a return to Seattle would make sense once he returns to full health. He is obviously familiar with the Seahawks’ system after spending his first four years in the league there, and Seattle is still in search of reliable options to reduce their weakness along the offensive line.
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