Buccaneers Elevate Jason Pierre-Paul
On the eve of a pivotal game against the NFC South rival Panthers, the Buccaneers are elevating edge rusher Jason Pierre-Paul from their practice squad, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Pierre-Paul will play in his first game since Dec. 11, 2023, when he was a member of the Dolphins.
Now 36 years old, Pierre-Paul entered the NFL as a first-round pick of the Giants in 2010. He’s now in his second stint with the Buccaneers, whom he played with from 2018-21. Pierre-Paul amassed 33 sacks during that 54-game span and was part of the franchise’s most recent Super Bowl-winning team in 2020.
Between his Tampa Bay and Miami tenures, Pierre-Paul spent time with the Ravens and Saints. He was out of football until the Buccaneers surprisingly signed him to their practice squad on Dec. 8. Pierre-Paul impressed the team during a workout, and he’s now in line to suit up just two weeks later.
Pierre-Paul will join YaYa Diaby, Haason Reddick, Elijah Roberts, Anthony Nelson, and Chris Braswell as the Bucs’ options at edge rusher against the Panthers. Tampa Bay and Carolina, both 7-7, will meet twice over the final three weeks of the season. One of them will win the division, while the other is likely to miss the playoffs.
Along with elevating Pierre-Paul, the Buccaneers are calling up defensive lineman Adam Gotsis from their taxi squad, per Greg Auman of FOX Sports. Gotsis has played in one game and logged eight defensive snaps this year.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/11/25
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Elevated: WR Chris Blair, S Jammie Robinson
Cincinnati Bengals
- Placed on IR: DE Trey Hendrickson (story)
Denver Broncos
- Waived: TE Marcedes Lewis
New York Giants
- Claimed off waivers (from Buccaneers): WR Ryan Miller
Philadelphia Eagles
- Designated for return from IR: OT Cameron Williams
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Elevated: DL Adam Gotsis, S J.T. Gray
Marcedes Lewis is being temporarily let go by the Broncos, but the 41-year-old tight end won’t be a free agent for long. According to Parker Gabriel of the Denver Post, Lewis is expected to quickly land back on Denver’s practice squad. However, the team may have some difficulty adding him back to the active roster. Since the Broncos have already exhausted Lewis’s three elevations, the team would have to sign him to the 53-man roster in order for him to make another appearance. Gabriel says the more likely scenario is Lewis sticking around on the taxi squad, with the organization valuing the player’s “leadership [and] character.”
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/6/25
With our first slate of Sunday games tomorrow, we’ll see our first slew of standard gameday practice squad elevations. Here are today’s minor transactions:
Atlanta Falcons
- Elevated: WR David Sills, RB Carlos Washington Jr.
Baltimore Ravens
- Elevated: TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden
Buffalo Bills
- Elevated: G Kendrick Green, K Matt Prater
Carolina Panthers
- Signed from practice squad: DT Jaden Crumedy
- Placed on IR: CB Damarri Mathis (story)
Cincinnati Bengals
- Elevated: DT Mike Pennel
Denver Broncos
- Elevated: FB Adam Prentice, LB Levelle Bailey
Detroit Lions
- Signed from practice squad: RB Jacob Saylors
- Elevated: LB Anthony Pittman
- Placed on IR: T Jamarco Jones
Green Bay Packers
- Elevated: CB Micah Robinson
Houston Texans
- Elevated: FB Jakob Johnson
Indianapolis Colts
- Elevated: LB Austin Ajiake, RB Ulysses Bentley IV
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Elevated: T Ricky Lee
Las Vegas Raiders
- Elevated: WR Alex Bachman, S Terrell Edmunds
Los Angeles Rams
- Elevated: RB Cody Schrader
Miami Dolphins
- Elevated: K Riley Patterson, RB Jeff Wilson
New England Patriots
- Signed from practice squad: DT Cory Durden
- Elevated: CB Corey Ballentine, LB Mark Robinson
- Released: DT Jeremiah Pharms
New Orleans Saints
- Signed from practice squad: DE Fadil Diggs
- Elevated: TE Jack Stoll, DE Jonah Williams
- Waived: QB Jake Haener
New York Giants
- Elevated: DT Elijah Garcia
New York Jets
- Elevated: WR Tyler Johnson
- Placed on IR: G Alijah Vera-Tucker (story)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Elevated: CB James Pierre
San Francisco 49ers
- Elevated: WR Russell Gage, LB Curtis Robinson
Seattle Seahawks
- Elevated: CB Shaquill Griffin, DT Quinton Bohanna
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Elevated: DT Adam Gotsis, G Michael Jordan
Tennessee Titans
- Elevated: C Corey Levin, DT Carlos Watkins
Washington Commanders
- Elevated: C Michael Deiter, WR Chris Moore
Each NFL team is granted up to two standard gameday practice squad elevations each game, allowing them to call up two members of their practice squad who are able to play in that weekend’s game. After the game is played, the elevated players revert back to the practice squad with no transaction required. This differs from the situation with somebody like Crumedy in Carolina. With Mathis’ placement on injured reserve opening a spot on the 53-man roster, Crumedy has been promoted from the practice squad to the active roster, where he will remain until he is cut or his contract expires.
Practice squad players can be called up a maximum of three times under a single practice squad contract. If a team wants to call up a player who’s been called up three times already, the team will usually sign the player to their active roster for a game, cut them after, and then sign them to a new practice squad contract. Under the new contract, the player would be eligible to be elevated for three more games.
As the Dolphins await Jason Sanders‘ return from IR, Patterson was named the winner of a kicking audition with three other veteran kickers. Miami will be able to elevate him three times but will have to promote him to the active roster for any games between that and Sanders’ activation. Similarly, Prater will likely be on the same plan in Buffalo.
Haener’s stint on the Saints’ active roster was short-lived as the team decides to move forward with only two quarterbacks. Spencer Rattler will handle starting duties to begin the campaign with second-round rookie Tyler Shough serving as his backup.
Wednesday NFL Transactions: NFC South
Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These Buccaneers, Falcons, Panthers and Saints moves are noted below.
Atlanta Falcons
Signed to practice squad:
- WR Chris Blair, CB Cobee Bryant, WR Dylan Drummond, OL Joshua Gray, S Ronnie Harrison, CB C.J. Henderson, OLB Khalid Kareem, K Lenny Krieg, WR Nick Nash, T Brandon Parker, TE Joshua Simon, QB Easton Stick, DL Kentavius Street, T Carter Warren, RB Carlos Washington
Carolina Panthers
Claimed:
- CB Damarri Mathis (from Broncos), WR Dalevon Campbell (from Chargers)
Waived:
Signed to practice squad:
- LB Krys Barnes, CB Shemar Bartholomew, OLB Boogie Basham, DE Jared Harrison-Hunte, OL Jarrett Kingston, LB Maz Mwansa, TE Bryce Pierre, WR Ja’seem Reed, CB Mike Reid, DT Sam Roberts, WR/PR Ainias Smith, T Mike Tarquin, S Trevian Thomas, OL Brandon Walton
New Orleans Saints
Claimed:
- WR Trey Palmer (from Buccaneers), G Xavier Truss (from Broncos)
Signed to practice squad:
- WR Kevin Austin, DL Jonah Williams
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Signed to practice squad:
- DL Adam Gotsis
Buccaneers Make Roster Cuts
Here is how the Buccaneers trimmed their roster to the 53-man limit Tuesday:
Released:
- DL Eric Banks
- DL Adam Gotsis
- CB Bryce Hall
- WR Jacob Harris
- G Michael Jordan
- G Sua Opeta
Waived:
- CB Tre Avery
- QB Connor Bazelak
- DL C.J. Brewer
- S Will Brooks
- DL Mike Greene
- WR Garrett Greene
- G Luke Haggard
- WR Jacob Harris
- WR Dennis Houston
- DL Nash Hutmacher
- LB Nick Jackson
- WR Rakim Jarrett
- DL Dvon J-Thomas
- RB Jase McClellan
- T Tyler McLellan
- T Lorenz Metz
- OL Raiqwon O’Neal
- OLB Warren Peeples Jr.
- WR Trey Palmer
- LB Jose Ramirez
- S Shilo Sanders
- G Ben Scott
- TE Tanner Taula
- RB Owen Wright
Waived/injured:
- CB JayVian Farr
- CB Tyrek Funderburk
- LB Antonio Grier
- C Jake Majors
- G Raiqwon O’Neal
- CB Roman Parodie
Waived/Non-Football Illness:
Sanders, the son of NFL legend and Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, signed with Tampa Bay in May after he went undrafted. Shilo, who had been competing for a spot at the back of the Bucs’ safety depth chart, was ejected from the club’s preseason finale on Saturday for throwing a punch following heavy pushing and shoving with Bills TE Zach Davidson. He was also flagged for pass interference in the game.
Agents Drew Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Sanders was headed to the waiver wire, and they hope their client will get claimed on waivers. A fresh start would likely be welcomed by all parties, although it will be interesting to see if any outside suitors put in a claim given the manner in which his Tampa tenure came to an end.
Jarrett, who joined the Bucs as an undrafted free agent in 2023, has recorded 13 catches for 184 yards in his brief time with the team. He will now hit the waiver wire. Provided no claim is made, a spot on the practice squad could be in store given Jarrett’s familiarity with the organization. The Bucs will hold P-squad spots for Jackson and Bazelak, per ESPN’s Jenna Laine and Fox Sports’ Greg Auman. Bazelak staying on would provide finality for Kyle Trask, whom the Bucs released earlier this week. Teddy Bridgewater will be Tampa Bay’s backup, and it looks like Bazelak — a rookie UDFA from Bowling Green — will be the third-stringer.
Weight issues stalled Watson’s practice work, and the Tampa Bay Times’ Rick Stroud indicates he ballooned to 470 pounds entering the offseason program. Weight trouble hindered Watson, who did not see any preseason action due to the issue. The Bucs opted to cut Watson, who would have been the heaviest player in NFL history had he played in a regular-season game, rather than stash him on the reserve/Non-Football Illness list. They will not hold a practice squad spot for him, Stroud adds.
Sam Robinson contributed to this post.
NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/21/25
Today’s reserve/futures contracts:
Atlanta Falcons
- WR David Sills
Baltimore Ravens
- OT Corey Bullock, WR Malik Cunningham, G Darrian Dalcourt, LB William Kwenkeu, QB Devin Leary, TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden, DE Adedayo Odeleye, DT C.J. Okoye, DE C.J. Ravenell, WR Dayton Wade
Carolina Panthers
- LB Carlos Basham, TE James Mitchell
Detroit Lions
- WR Ronnie Bell
Philadelphia Eagles
- TE Cameron Latu
Pittsburgh Steelers
- DB Cameron McCutcheon
San Francisco 49ers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- DE Adam Gotsis, P Jake Julien
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 1/8/25
Wednesday’s practice squad moves around the league:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: DT Eli Ankou, LB Tyreek Maddox-Williams
San Francisco 49ers
- Released: WR Ronnie Bell
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: DT Adam Gotsis
Washington Commanders
- Signed: T Max Pircher
Gotsis will provide veteran D-line depth for the Bucs in advance of the playoffs. The 32-year-old has 126 games and 54 starts to his name, including five appearances with the Colts earlier this year. It will be interesting to see if Gotsis makes his way onto Tampa Bay’s roster in time for the team’s wild-card round either through promotion or as a gameday elevation.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/16/24
Saturday’s minor moves, including standard gameday practice squad elevations:
Baltimore Ravens
- Elevated: LB Kristian Welch
Buffalo Bills
- Elevated: TE Zach Davidson, T Richard Gouraige
Cincinnati Bengals
- Elevated: T Devin Cochran, LB Shaka Heyward
Cleveland Browns
- Signed to active roster: DT Sam Kamara, DE Elerson Smith
- Elevated: WR Kadarius Toney
- Placed on IR: DT Mike Hall Jr.
Denver Broncos
- Elevated: LB Zach Cunningham, S Keidron Smith
Detroit Lions
- Signed to active roster: LB Zeke Turner
- Elevated: TE James Mitchell
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed to active roster: LB Liam Anderson
- Elevated: G Atonio Mafi, G Josh Sills
- Waived: DT Adam Gotsis
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Elevated: WR Velus Jones, LB Anthony Pittman
Kansas City Chiefs
- Elevated: LB Cole Christiansen
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed to active roster: LB Shaquille Quarterman
- Elevated: CB Eli Apple, OLB Caleb Murphy
- Waived: CB Dicaprio Bootle
Los Angeles Rams
- Elevated: T Geron Christian, DL Jonah Williams
Miami Dolphins
- Elevated: LS Tucker Addington, T Jackson Carman
Minnesota Vikings
- Elevated: LS Jake McQuaide
New England Patriots
- Elevated: LB Keshawn Banks, LB Joe Giles-Harris
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed to active roster: P Pat O’Donnell
- Elevated: S Tashaun Gipson, CB Nick McCloud
- Placed on IR: CB Darrell Luter Jr.
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed to active roster: TE Tyler Mabry, WR Cody White
- Elevated: LB Patrick O’Connell, S Ty Okada
- Placed on reserve/retired list: C Connor Williams (story)
- Waived: NT Brandon Pili
Tennessee Titans
- Signed to active roster: C Corey Levin
- Elevated: T Isaiah Prince, S Daryl Worley
Toney is set to make his debut for the regular season. The former first-round pick out of Florida has had a rocky first four years in the league, despite coming away with two Super Bowl rings in Kansas City. He was signed to the Browns’ practice squad just after the season opener and will be eligible to see game action with Cleveland in Week 11.
O’Donnell was added to the 49ers’ practice squad earlier this week given the chance of Mitch Wishnowsky missing time. The latter is now on injured reserve, ensuring at least a four-game absence. O’Donnell, 32, is a veteran of 145 games but Week 11 will mark his first regular season action since 2022.
Colts Place DL Tyquan Lewis On IR
Although the Colts received good news on Anthony Richardson and Jonathan Taylor, they will not escape an injury-plagued Week 4 without a malady-driven roster move. That transaction will go to Tyquan Lewis, who has dealt with multiple ailments this season.
Indianapolis placed the veteran defensive end on IR on Tuesday. Lewis, who came into the Steelers matchup with wrist and calf injuries, went down with an elbow issue late in the Colts’ first win. This IR placement will cost Lewis at least four games.
A depth player in the past, Lewis has started all four Colts games this season. The team signed veteran defensive lineman Adam Gotsis from its practice squad while also adding cornerback Kelvin Joseph to the taxi squad.
Now on his third Colts contract, Lewis was part of a four-man second-round contingent back in 2018. Chris Ballard‘s 2018 second-round output sent Braden Smith, Shaquille Leonard, Kemoko Turay and Lewis to Indianapolis. That ’18 draft, which also produced Quenton Nelson, Zaire Franklin and Nyheim Hines, formed a key section of Ballard’s Indianapolis core. At No. 64 overall, Lewis was the last of the second-rounders Indy chose that year. But only he and Smith remain from that second-round contingent.
The Colts re-signed Lewis on a two-year, $12MM deal ($6.7MM guaranteed at signing) in March, with that transaction being part of Ballard’s retention wave. The move came after Lewis had recovered from a severe knee injury — a patellar tendon rupture — sustained in October 2022. Lewis rebounded to play in all 17 Colts games last season, working as a backup. With Samson Ebukam out with an Achilles tear, the Colts have turned to Lewis as a starter this season.
Starting in front of Dayo Odeyingbo and first-rounder Laiatu Latu, Lewis has played 64% of the Colts’ defensive snaps this season. After helping Indy finish in the top five in sacks last season, collecting four himself, the seventh-year veteran has tallied 1.5 early this year. The Colts are now down Ebukam, DeForest Buckner and Lewis. All three are return options, however, with the Indianapolis Star’s Joel Erickson indicating Lewis’ elbow injury is not viewed as season-ending.
With Lewis joining Ebukam and Buckner on the shelf, Latu and the team’s 2021 first- and second-round picks — Kwity Paye and Odeyingbo (team-high two sacks) — will need to anchor the pass rush. Latu’s presence still keeps the Colts in decent shape at DE, despite the team losing two regulars to injury. Lewis’ absence stands to free up more opportunities for Latu, who saw his early workload changed when Ebukam went down before the season.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/28/24
Minor transactions and practice squad callups for the Week 4 weekend:
Arizona Cardinals
- Elevated: DT Angelo Blackson, T Charlie Heck
Atlanta Falcons
- Elevated: G Matt Hennessy
Baltimore Ravens
- Elevated: RB Chris Collier
- Placed on IR: CB Jalyn Armour-Davis
Carolina Panthers
- Elevated: OLB Thomas Incoom, DE DeShawn Williams
Chicago Bears
- Elevated: DT Byron Cowart, S Tarvarius Moore
- Placed on IR: TE Stephen Carlson (story)
Cleveland Browns
- Elevated: CB Tony Brown, TE Geoff Swaim
Denver Broncos
- Elevated: LB Levelle Bailey, S Tanner McCalister
Green Bay Packers
- Elevated: CB Kamal Hadden, CB Robert Rochell
Houston Texans
- Elevated: RB J.J. Taylor
Indianapolis Colts
- Elevated: DT Adam Gotsis, CB David Long
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed to active roster: TE Josiah Deguara
- Elevated: CB Christian Braswell, LB Tanner Muse
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed to active roster: TE John Samuel Shenker
- Elevated: WR Alex Bachman, OLB K’Lavon Chaisson
- Waived: WR Ramel Keyton
Los Angeles Chargers
- Elevated: LB Blake Lynch, C Sam Mustipher
Los Angeles Rams
- Elevated: WR Xavier Smith, CB Ahkello Witherspoon
Minnesota Vikings
- Elevated: OLB Bo Richter, TE Robert Tonyan
New England Patriots
- Signed to active roster: CB Isaiah Bolden
- Elevated: DT Trysten Hill, TE Mitchell Wilcox
- Placed on IR: CB Alex Austin
New Orleans Saints
- Elevated: G Kyle Hergel
New York Jets
- Elevated: DT Bruce Hector, LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball
Philadelphia Eagles
- Elevated: WR Parris Campbell, WR John Ross
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Elevated: CB Thomas Graham Jr., RB Aaron Shampklin
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed to active roster: DE Sam Okuayinonu
- Elevated: DT Evan Anderson, S Jaylen Mahoney
- Placed on IR: DT Javon Hargrave (story), LB Curtis Robinson (story)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Elevated: P Trenton Gill, WR Sterling Shepard
Washington Commanders
- Elevated: DE Andre Jones Jr., RB Chris Rodriguez Jr.