The Oakland Raiders officially released safety Tyvon Branch on Tuesday. He was told of his pending release last Thursday.

Branch, a fourth-round pick out of Connecticut in 2008, was given the franchise tag in 2012 in Reggie McKenzie's first year as the team's general manager. That summer, Branch signed a four-year deal worth $26.6 million, with $17.6 million in guaranteed money.

However, injuries curtailed Branch's production. He finished all three seasons since signing the extension injured. He was relegated to a total of five games the past two seasons due to injury. Branch, 28, was put on injured reserve in September after breaking his foot in Week 3 at New England.

Branch had a $1 million roster bonus due next month and a base salary of $5.5 million. His salary-cap number for 2015 was $9.657 million. Branch's release should give Oakland a cap break of about $3 million. The Raiders are expected to cut other veterans soon, including defensive end LaMarr Woodley. Oakland is set to have more than $60 million in cap space in free agency, which starts next Tuesday.

Update: Branch is reportedly visiting Indianapolis on Wednesday and then Washington.