Mike Greene

Here is how the Buccaneers moved their roster down to the 53-man max Tuesday:

Released:

• OLB Genard Avery
• QB Ryan Griffin
• S Logan Ryan (story)
• DL Deadrin Senat

Waived:

• OLB Andre Anthony
• K Jose Borregales
• T Dylan Cook
• S Chris Cooper
• CB Don Gardner
• WR Kaylon Geiger
• DL Mike Greene
• TE J.J. Howland
• G Sadarius Hutcherson
• WR Tyler Johnson (story)
• RB Patrick Laird
• CB Kyler McMichael
• C John Molchon
• DL Benning Potoa’e
• DL Willington Previlon
• ILB J.J. Russell
• WR Jerreth Sterns
• WR Deven Thompkins
• S Nolan Turner
• OLB Jordan Young

Waived/injured:

• OLB Elijah Ponder

Placed on IR:

• CB Rashard Robinson

Ryan is expected to return soon, Greg Auman of The Athletic tweets. His release — from a contract containing no fully guaranteed money — is likely connected to Ryan Jensen‘s impending IR trip.

The Bucs should also be expected to retain Griffin on their 16-man practice squad, which can include up to six vested vets. Griffin has gone through a lengthy career without much actual usage. A 2013 Saints UDFA, Griffin has been with the Bucs since September 2015. Odds are, after he re-signed to stay in Tampa again this offseason, the veteran QB is part of the initial 2022 Bucs P-squad. Griffin, 32, has played in two career games. He would be the Bucs’ fourth passer — behind Tom Brady, Blaine Gabbert and Kyle Trask — if kept. So, the same arrangement as 2021.

The Bucs signed Avery last week. Avery spent the offseason with the Steelers but did not make their cut to 80; the Steelers have since traded for Broncos backup OLB Malik Reed. Borregales’ exit will give Ryan Succop the kicker job for a third straight year. After the Bucs went through several years of kicker instability, Succop has done well to inject reliability into the equation. Succop’s extension runs through 2023.