A system includes an engine with a plurality of pistons housed in respective ones of a plurality of cylinders, an air intake system provides air to the plurality of cylinders through respective ones of a plurality of intake valves, an exhaust system to release exhaust gas from the plurality of cylinders through one of a plurality of exhaust valves, and a controller coupled to a sensor to control a switching tappet for compression release braking. Alternatively to a tappet, the system includes a roller finger follower controlling an opening and closing timing of exhaust valves, the roller finger follower has an inner roller follower arm adjacent an outer sliding follower, and a controller that in response to an engine braking request locks the inner roller follower arm with the outer sliding follower to contact a second cam lobe and open the exhaust valve during a compression stroke of the cylinder.