TAMPA, Fla. — Defensive tackle Chris Hovan, offensive lineman Arron Sears and reserve fullback B.J. Askew are among six veterans released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Hovan's future with the team was already in doubt before the Bucs selected defensive tackles Gerald McCoy and Brian Price in the first two rounds of the NFL draft. Tampa Bay finished last in the league in run defense in 2009.

Sears was a second-round draft pick in 2007. He started 31 games in his first two seasons with the team, but sat out all of last season on the non-football illness list. The Bucs have not publicly discussed the reason.

Askew spent much of last season on the non-football injury list after being involved in a car accident.

Also released Monday were guard Shawn Murphy, punter Sam Paulescu and cornerback Stoney Woodson.