The Detroit Lions have announced that they have released veteran cornerback Fernando Bryant.

Bryant, signed as an unrestricted free agent in 2004, was under contract through 2009.  He was due to earn a base salary of $3.35 million in 2008.

Selected in the first round of the 1999 draft by the Jaguars, Bryant spent five seasons in Jacksonville before heading to Detroit.

He immediately becomes an unrestricted free agent, and can sign with any team.