Updated

Tampa, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers released veteran defensive end Michael Johnson on Wednesday.

Johnson completed just one season of a five-year, $43.75 million contract he signed in 2014. Tampa Bay still owes him $7 million, but releasing Johnson saves the Bucs $2 million towards this year's salary cap.

The 28-year-old Johnson dealt with an ankle injury in 2015 and played in 14 games, accumulating four sacks and 27 tackles.

In five seasons with the Bengals before arriving in Tampa, Johnson totaled 26 1/2 sacks, including a career-best 11 1/2 in 2012.