Bucs release former Pro Bowl RB Martin

Two-time Pro Bowl running back Doug Martin was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who may look for a replacement in free agency.

Martin rushed for a careerlow 406 yards in 2017, when he averaged just 2.9 yards per carry after missing the first three games of the season while serving the remainder of a four-game ban for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancers.

The release comes less than two years after Martin signed a five-year, $35.75 million contract that would have paid him $6.75 million in 2018. The 29-year-old was a first-round draft pick out of Boise State in 2012. He rushed for 1,454 yards and 11 touchdowns as a rookie, but was slowed by an assortment of injuries for much of the past five seasons.

Texans: Released veteran linebacker Brian Cushing, who was a first-round pick in 2009 and is the franchise’s all-time leader in tackles. Cushing’s career has been marked by two suspensions for violating league policy on performance enhancers. His second suspension came in September and cost him 10 games. He appeared in five games last season and finished with 16 tackles and 1½ sacks.

Jaguars: Exercised club options on the contracts of veteran tight end Marcedes Lewis and backup offensive linemen Tyler Shatley and Josh Wells. The 33-year-old Lewis is the longest-tenured player on the team’s roster. He is due to make $3.5 million in 2018.

Vikings: Hired Todd Downing as a senior offensive assistant, bringing him back to his hometown team after serving last year as offensive coordinator of the Raiders.

Colts: Former receiver Reggie Wayne will become the 15th member of the franchise’s Ring of Honor next season. A date for the ceremony will not be determined until the NFL schedule is released in April.