The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced today that they have released defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth. The move saves the team $6.7 million, which is what he was scheduled to make in base salary, according to his contract, which the Buccaneers claimed when the team acquired him off waivers from the New England Patriots on November 8.

The Buccaneers reportedly have the second-most salary cap space in the league, according to ESPN.com, which stated the team is expected to have over $60 million to spend after rolling over approximately $23.5 million from 2011. The $6.7 million freed up from Haynesworth's release could push that number to $66.7 million, which would give Tampa Bay the most cap room available in the NFL in 2012.

The 30-year old Haynesworth is one of only a handful of Buccaneers age 30 or older. His release makes the youngest team in football – with an average age of 25 – even younger heading into the 2012 season.

"I appreciate Albert playing for us after some key injuries this past season," said Bucs general manager Mark Dominik. "He was very professional and we now wish him all the best as he moves forward."

He played in seven games with six starts for the Buccaneers, and recorded 25 tackles and two tackles for loss. After recording a season-high seven tackels in his Tampa Bay debut against Houston, Haynesworth's play declined as the season went on and he was never fully embraced by the Bucs players in the locker room.

Haynesworth's release leaves just five defensive tackles on Tampa Bay's roster heading into the 2012 offseason: Gerald McCoy, Brian Price, Roy Miller, Frank Okam and John McCargo. McCoy and Price, Tampa Bay's starters, are both coming off seasons that ended early on injured reserve.