The team released Austin Seferian-Jenkins on Friday (Sept. 23) afternoon.

TAMPA – Austin Seferian-Jenkins, a tight end for the Tampa Bay Bucs, was arrested and charged with DUI on Friday (Sept. 23), according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Seferian-Jenkins was not only charged with DUI but was also charged with violation of an ignition interlock device restriction from a 2013 arrest in the state of Washington. An ignition interlock device is a car breathalyzer designed to prevent anyone under the influence from driving a vehicle, according to intoxalock.com. It requires a breath sample to be submitted below a pre-set state limit before it will allow the driver to start the vehicle. If the breath alcohol concentration is above the pre-set limit, the vehicle will not start.

The team has since released Seferian-Jenkins, who played in two games for Tampa Bay this season, catching three passes for 44 yards and one touchdown. Seferian-Jenkins played at the University of Washington and was drafted by the Bucs in 2014. During his professional career, Seferian-Jenkins had a total of 45 receptions, 603 yards and seven touchdowns.

“We are very disappointed in today’s news,” general manager Jason Licht said. “After careful consideration, we felt this was the right decision at this time.”

The team also announced that tight end Alan Cross has been promoted from the practice squad to the active roster. Cross, who wears No. 45, has been with Tampa Bay since this past offseason and has been on the team’s practice squad since Sept. 13.

The FHP said Seferian-Jenkins’ arrest came at southbound I-275 near State Road 60. Seferian-Jenkins was traveling at 75-80 miles per hour in a 55-mile-per-hour speed zone. He also made an improper lane change that cut off Trooper Tabarie Sullivan, who was in his patrol car.

Troopers said he refused a breath test at the Hillsborough County Jail.

After the Tampa Bay Buccaneers finished practice Friday morning, head coach Dirk Koetter fielded questions regarding Seferian-Jenkins.

“Obviously, there was a situation that we became aware of this morning and we just don’t know all the details yet,” Koetter said. “By the time we found out, we were into meetings this morning and we’ve been on the practice field, so right now we don’t have all the information. We’re aware of it. Jason [Licht] and I will be getting together this afternoon and whatever’s going to happen will be forthcoming.”

For information about the Florida Highway Patrol, go to flhsmv.gov.

Tampa Bay Bucs | Austin Seferian-Jenkins | Florida Highway Patrol | DUI | TB Reporter

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