Bucs release veteran TE Stevens after drug arrest

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers released backup tight end Jerramy Stevens on Monday, two days after he was arrested and charged with possessing marijuana.

Stevens didn't play in Sunday's 18-17 Bucs victory over the St. Louis Rams.

The Bucs filled the open roster spot by promoting rookie tight end Ryan Purvis from the practice squad. Purvis, who went undrafted out of Boston College, caught five passes for 69 yards and a touchdown in four preseason games.

Stevens was pulled over in his Ford pickup truck on Saturday at 7:05 a.m. for loud music, Tampa police spokeswoman Andrea Davis said Sunday in a news release. The officer said he smelled marijuana inside the vehicle and found 38 grams, or 1 1/3 ounce, of marijuana.

Stevens, 30, was taken to jail and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Stevens previously was convicted of drunken driving in 2007 and pleaded guilty to reckless driving in 2003.

Stevens signed with the Bucs in 2007 after spending the first five years of his career with the Seattle Seahawks. The former first-round draft pick had 15 receptions for 130 yards and one touchdown last season and has 202 catches for 2,217 yards and 22 scores in his career.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Bucs' Stevens arrested on drug charges, doesn't play vs. Rams

TAMPA, Fla. -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Jerramy Stevens sat out Sunday's game against the St. Louis Rams after police said he was arrested and charged with possessing marijuana.

Stevens was pulled over in his Ford pickup truck on Saturday at 7:05 a.m. for loud music, Tampa police spokeswoman Andrea Davis said in a news release. The officer said he smelled marijuana inside the vehicle and found 38 grams, or 1 1/3 ounce, of marijuana.

Stevens,30, was taken to jail and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Buccaneers spokesman Jonathan Grella said the team was "deeply troubled" by the arrest.

"We take such matters quite seriously," he said. "Obviously Jerramy Stevens will not be playing today, and we will treat this matter with the seriousness it deserves, but in the meantime are focused on playing the Rams."

Stevens was previously convicted of drunken driving in 2007 and pleaded guilty to reckless driving in 2003.

Stevens signed with the Buccaneers in 2007 after spending the first five years of his career with the Seattle Seahawks. The former first-round draft pick had 15 receptions for 130 yards and one touchdown last season and has 202 career catches for 2,217 yards and 22 scores.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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