The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have released former All-Pro defensive tackle Darrell Russell. Russell had been out of the NFL for the last 2 1/2 years for legal reasons. He signed a 1 year deal with the Washington Redskins 8 games into the season. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed him to a one year deal at the beginning of the offseason but released him on Monday.

Drafted by the Oakland Raiders in 1998, Russell was at one time considered to be a Hall of Fame type of player. Making the All-Pro and Pro Bowl rosters in two of his first 3 seasons. But then his career took a turn for the worst when he not only failed a NFL drug test, but was also on trial for allegedly being an accomplice in a rape trial. Russell was suspended until the middle of the 2002 season, at which time he was released by the Oakland Raiders.