Titans release Shaun Smith

The Tennessee Titans have released defensive tackle Shaun Smith, his agent confirmed to TitanInsider.com.

“The Titans have decided to release Shaun Smith,” Neil Schwartz said.

Smith, 6-2, 330, had come into camp in better shape after playing last season at nearly 370 pounds. However, he became buried near the bottom of the Titans defensive tackle depth chart as young players like Karl Klug, Jurrell Casey, Mike Martin, Zach Clayton and veteran Sen’Derrick Marks have logged the majority of the training camp and preseason reps.

Smith, entering his ninth NFL season, signed a three-year deal with the Titans last year as the team wanted to get bigger on the interior of the defensive line. However, his play was disappointing, even by his own admission at the time, with 44 total tackles and one sack.

Smith signed a three-year, $7.5 million contract with the Titans, with $1.5 million in signing bonus. His $1.75 million in base salary for 2012 is wiped off the books, but $500,000 of prorated signing bonus money from 2013 now jumps onto this year’s cap as dead money, making for a net savings of $1.25 million against the cap.

Smith said farewell to Titans fans via Twitter, “It's been real Nashville time to c what team I will be on next but am thankful for everything and the lord will continue to bless me”