ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) The Oakland Raiders will release safety Tyvon Branch before the start of the new league year next month.

The team told Branch of the plans Thursday to cut ties with one of Oakland's longest-tenured non-specialists.

Branch joined Oakland as a fourth-round pick out of Connecticut in 2008. Branch immediately became an impact player and started 62 of 64 games from 2009-12. He was slowed by injuries the past two seasons and played only five games. He had one year remaining on his contract.