Bucs release Mahan, Johnson

Sports Network | October 27, 2009

Tampa, FL (Sports Network) - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have released center Sean Mahan and guard Marcus Johnson.

Mahan started four games at center for the Buccaneers this season when Jeff Faine suffered a triceps tear in the season-opener against Dallas. Faine returned to action in Week 6, sending Mahan back to the bench.

It marked the third different stint for Mahan with the Bucs. He spent his first four seasons in Tampa Bay after being selected by the team in the fifth round of the 2003 draft. After playing the 2007 season with Pittsburgh, he rejoined the Buccaneers last year and was released before the start of the 2009 season before being re-signed after the injury to Faine.

Johnson saw action as a reserve in six of the team's first seven games.

The Bucs, who have a bye this week, also promoted offensive tackle James Lee from the practice squad to the active roster, signed linebacker Lee Robinson to the practice squad and released linebacker Eric Bakhtiari from the practice squad.