ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will release veteran defensive tackle Chris Hovan on Monday.

Hovan, 31, has started 79 games over the last five seasons for the Buccaneers, totaling 220 tackles, including 5 quarterback sacks. Hovan, a three-year captain for the Bucs, was entering the final year of a five-year, $17.5 contract he signed in 2006, and was set to earn $4 million dollars in base salary in 2010.

A former first-round pick (25th overall) out of Boston College by the Minnesota Vikings in 2000, Hovan has only missed four games throughout his career. A starter from the moment he entered the NFL, Hovan has 22 career quarterback sacks.

The Buccaneers chose Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy with the 3rd overall pick, and UCLA defensive tackle Brian Price with the 35th overall pick of the 2010 NFL Draft.