TAMPA, Fla. — Days after his release from the The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, former first-round pick Vernon Hargreaves has been claimed by the Houston Texans. 

Hargreaves, a Tampa Wharton graduate and former University of Florida standout, was the team's first pick in the 2016 draft. 

Hargreaves was briefly benched during the Bucs' 30-27 win Sunday by Head Coach Bruce Arians over lack of hustle during a play. With Hargreaves' release, just one player (Ryan Smith) from the 2016 draft remains on the Buccaneers roster. 

General Manager Jason Licht addressed the move, which was made after he consulted with Arians.

"After thoughtful consideration over the past few weeks, Coach Arians and I came to the conclusion that we needed to make this change,” Licht said in a team statement. “Decisions such as this are always difficult, but we felt it was in the best interest of our team to part ways with Vernon at this time and allow him to explore other opportunities. We are disappointed that it did not work out here for Vernon and we wish him continued success moving forward."

Hargreaves started the first nine games of the 2019 season and recorded 40 tackles, one interception, four passes defensed and one fumble recovery.

The team has five cornerbacks on the active roster, including Ryan Smith and four players drafted in the last two years – Carlton Davis, Jamel Dean, Sean Murphy-Bunting and M.J. Stewart. 

The secondary has struggled throughout the season, ranking last in the NFL in pass defense. 

Hargreaves appeared in 35 games as a Buccaneers, with 33 starts, and produced 164 tackles, four tackles for loss, 19 passes defensed, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one defensive touchdown. 

The Buccaneers (3-6) did not immediately announce a corresponding move to fill the open spot on the 53-man roster.