Marcus Thigpen was released by the Buccaneers on Tuesday, Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune reports.

Thigpen was released by the Buccaneers on Tuesday, Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune reports.

Analysis:

Thigpen has struggled in the return game over the past few weeks, so the Bucs simply decided it was time to part ways. Now that their backfield is back to full strength, look for Mike James or Bobby Rainey to return to kick/punt return duty.