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Las Vegas Raiders release starting linebacker Tahir Whitehead

The Las Vegas Raiders will save $6.25 million in cap space after releasing starting linebacker Tahir Whitehead. File Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI
The Las Vegas Raiders will save $6.25 million in cap space after releasing starting linebacker Tahir Whitehead. File Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo

March 9 (UPI) -- The Las Vegas Raiders released veteran starting linebacker Tahir Whitehead, the team announced Monday.

With the release of Whitehead, the Raiders cleared $6.25 million in salary cap space, according to Spotrac. Las Vegas now has more than $53.9 million in cap room ahead of the beginning of free agency this month.

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Whitehead, who turns 30 in April, started all 32 games for the Raiders over the last two seasons. He signed with the team as a free agent after spending six seasons with the Detroit Lions, who selected him in the fifth round of the 2012 NFL Draft out of Temple.

After the season-long suspension of middle linebacker Vontaze Burfict in Week 5, Whitehead moved from the strong side to the middle of the Raiders' 4-3 base defense. He recorded 108 combined tackles and one pass defensed last season.

But late in the 2019-20 campaign, Whitehead was replaced at middle linebacker by Will Compton, who was signed off the street.

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In 125 career NFL games, Whitehead has notched 632 total tackles, three sacks, five interceptions, three forced fumbles and 24 passes defensed.

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