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Tampa Bay Buccaneers News & Rumors

Buccaneers Place Richard Sherman On IR

November 17th, 2021 at 3:28pm CST by Ben Levine

WEDNESDAY: Sherman is now on Tampa Bay’s IR list. Given his timetable, this is not a surprising transaction. Although Sherman missed time earlier this year, the Bucs did not place him on IR. This will, then, be Sherman’s 2021 IR stay. The All-Decade cornerback will miss at least three weeks.

TUESDAY: The Buccaneers will be without Richard Sherman for at least a few weeks. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the veteran cornerback suffered a grade 2 calf sprain.

According to Greg Auman of The Athletic (on Twitter), Sherman suffered the injury during pregame warmups prior to Sunday’s game against WFT. The injury should sideline Sherman for at least a few weeks, and an IR stint would presumably be a possibility.

Sherman joined the Buccaneers in late September, and he made his debut for Tampa Bay in Week 4. He started each of his three games for Tampa Bay, collecting 11 tackles and one fumble recovery. The 33-year-old suffered a hamstring injury during Week 6, and he was expected to return to the field for this past Sunday’s game against Washington.

The Buccaneers have dealt with their fair share of cornerbacks injuries this season. Starters Sean Murphy-Bunting and Carlton Davis have been sidelined for weeks, and even Dee Delaney, who filled in for Sherman on Sunday, had to exit the game due to a concussion. Fortunately, it sounds like Murphy-Bunting and Davis should be back with the team in the next few weeks.

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/13/21

November 13th, 2021 at 4:56pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Saturday’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

  • Activated from PUP list: DT Trysten Hill
  • Promoted: K Lirim Hajrullahu

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Indianapolis Colts

Kansas City Chiefs

Las Vegas Raiders

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New York Jets

Pittsburgh Steelers

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Football Team

Poll: Who Will Earn NFC’s No. 1 Seed?

November 12th, 2021 at 6:49pm CST by Sam Robinson

While the AFC features a deeper contender pool, the NFC brings more clarity near the top. Five teams enter Week 10 with one or two losses, bringing about a high-level second-half race for the conference’s lone bye.

The 2020 CBA reducing conference byes from two to one made the No. 1 seed more valuable. Only one team — the 2020 Buccaneers, in a season with limited attendance — has qualified for a Super Bowl without the benefit of a bye week over the past eight seasons. Week 9 certainly benefited the Cardinals, with the Rams, Packers and Cowboys joining the Buccaneers as two-loss teams. But eight weeks remain.

The Rams also made two major efforts to tilt the scales over the past week and change, trading for Von Miller and signing Odell Beckham Jr. Will that be enough to give them their first No. 1 seed since 2001? Los Angeles (7-2) is coming off a one-sided loss to Tennessee. The team has not lost one of its impact players the way the rest of the NFC’s top tier has, though Miller and Beckham are coming off injuries sustained with their previous teams. The Rams rank in the top 10 offensively and defensively and have made a major upgrade at quarterback, with Matthew Stafford sitting first in QBR after nine games. Road games against the Cardinals, Packers and Ravens remain, however.

Responsible for handing the Rams their first defeat, the Cardinals (8-1) are the NFL’s lone one-loss team and the only NFC squad to rank in the top five on offense and defense. The Cardinals, who have not earned a No. 1 seed since home-field advantage was introduced in the mid-1970s, have seen their defense make more strides under DC Vance Joseph. Arizona ranks second in defensive DVOA, though the team is now down J.J. Watt for potentially the rest of the season. The Cards, who have seen offseason additions A.J. Green and Rodney Hudson also play key roles in their early 30s, still face the Rams and Cowboys and have two Seahawks matchups — presumably each with Russell Wilson at the controls — in their final seven games.

Last earning the NFC’s top seed five years ago, the Cowboys (6-2) are coming off a strange loss to the Broncos — one in which they trailed 30-0 — and have seen Tyron Smith run into more injury trouble. The Cowboys are also down both DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory, the latter being placed on IR this week. Dallas’ defense gave up a franchise-most points last season, but the arrivals of Dan Quinn and Micah Parsons have helped the NFC East leaders move toward the middle of the pack on that side of the ball. No other NFC East team has more than three wins, but the Cowboys still have games against the Chiefs, Raiders, Saints and Cardinals.

While the Packers have gone through significant midseason turmoil, they are expected to have Aaron Rodgers back in Week 10. Jaire Alexander and Za’Darius Smith remain on IR, however. The NFC North leaders (7-2) signed Whitney Mercilus and have seen Rashan Gary fare well in replacing Smith. Despite Smith and Alexander’s absences, the Packers rank sixth defensively. Summer signing De’Vondre Campbell (83 tackles, which lead the Packers by nearly 30) has bolstered new DC Joe Barry‘s unit as well. Green Bay also stands to receive a boost once David Bakhtiari returns following his ACL rehab. The All-Pro left tackle spent nine weeks on Green Bay’s PUP list and is not expected to play in Week 10. The Packers still have games against the Rams, Ravens and Browns.

Tampa Bay’s second Super Bowl run came from the No. 5 slot; the franchise has never secured the NFC’s top seed. But this Bucs edition’s bye path includes an inviting second-half schedule. The defending champions play just one team — the Bills — with a winning record over their final eight. The Bucs (6-2) brought back their full nucleus from last season but have seen some of their veterans run into injury trouble. They will again be without Antonio Brown and Rob Gronkowski in Week 10, and Gronk may be facing another extended absence. Cornerback unavailability has also helped define Tampa Bay’s season, but the team is getting healthier on that front.

Which of these five teams will prevail en route to the NFC’s bye? Is there another squad that could make a stealth bid? Vote in PFR’s latest poll and weigh in with your NFC thoughts in the comments section.

Who will earn the NFC's No. 1 seed?
Los Angeles Rams 26.01% (582 votes)
Green Bay Packers 22.43% (502 votes)
Arizona Cardinals 22.25% (498 votes)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17.43% (390 votes)
Dallas Cowboys 9.56% (214 votes)
Another team 2.32% (52 votes)
Total Votes: 2,238

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/12/21

November 12th, 2021 at 5:22pm CST by Zachary Links

We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:

Denver Broncos

Minnesota Vikings

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Washington Football Team

Buccaneers’ Rob Gronkowski To Miss Time

November 12th, 2021 at 8:29am CST by Zachary Links

The Buccaneers will be without Rob Gronkowski for at least a little while. The veteran tight end will likely miss Sunday’s game against the Washington Football Team and could be sidelined for “about two or three weeks,” according to head coach Bruce Arians (Twitter link via SiriusXM).

“We think in about two or three weeks, he’ll be back to normal. Gronk is gonna get better, and [we’re] just gonna make sure he’s good when he comes back,” Arians said. “We think that next week is a better time frame for him [coming back]. We kinda pushed it with the New Orleans thing. I want him ready to go the whole distance when we’re ready to go.”

Gronk has already missed five games this season with a previous rib injury. This time around, it’s a recurrence of his previous back issues, so the Bucs are playing it safe.

Before the rib injury — and related lung issues — the 32-year-old was enjoying a hot start to the season, notching four touchdowns through the first three weeks. To date, he has 16 catches for 184 yards and four scores across four games.

Despite the setbacks, Gronkowski remains one of the game’s most dangerous tight ends when he’s healthy. Last year, the veteran registered 45 catches for 623 yards and seven touchdowns in a complete 16-game slate. Later on, he showed up big in the Super Bowl, leading all receivers with six grabs for 67 yards and two TDs en route to the ‘chip.

For now, the Bucs expect to see Gronk return no later than Dec. 5, when they face the Falcons in Atlanta.

Buccaneers Add TE Darren Fells To Practice Squad

November 10th, 2021 at 5:08pm CST by Ben Levine

The defending champs are adding a notable name to their practice squad. The Buccaneers have signed tight end Darren Fells to the p-squad, reports NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter). The hope is that Fells will be promoted for Sunday’s game against WFT.

The 35-year-old signed with the Lions in May, circling back after a previous stint in 2017. While he started all five of his games with the Lions this season, he was limited to only four catches and 43 yards. The team ended up cutting the tight end earlier this week.

Fells’ most notable season came in 2019, when he notched 34 catches for 341 yards and seven touchdowns with Houston. In total, he’s hauled in 127 catches for 1,526 yards and 21 touchdowns in 109 career games (81 starts).

The Buccaneers, of course, are already loaded at tight end, rostering Rob Gronkowski, O.J. Howard, and Cameron Brate. Fells should temporarily help the team while Gronk looks to battle back from his current injury.

Tampa Bay made another practice squad move today, releasing wideout John Hurst to make room for the recently signed Breshad Perriman.

Buccaneers Not Pursuing Odell Beckham Jr.

November 10th, 2021 at 12:21pm CST by Sam Robinson

While the Buccaneers have made numerous splash additions over the past year and change, they are not going to add Odell Beckham Jr. to that mix.

Bruce Arians nixed that idea Wednesday, halting speculation the team would bring in another hired gun to join Tom Brady‘s arsenal. “We’ve already got AB; we don’t need OBJ. Too many letters,” Arians said, via the Tampa Bay Times’ Rick Stroud (on Twitter).

Since Brady arrived, the Bucs have bolstered their pass-catching corps by trading for Rob Gronkowski and signing Antonio Brown. Although Arians said last year the Bucs would not sign Brown, Brady continued to push for him until the parties agreed on terms. The presence of Brown, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin would cloud Beckham’s role, even as Brown is battling an injury.

Beckham’s suitor mix includes the Saints, Seahawks, Patriots, Packers and Chiefs, and although a mystery team is believed to be in the hunt as well, the defending Super Bowl champions are not that team.

The Bucs signed Breshad Perriman to their practice squad Tuesday and are expected to promote him to their active roster. Perriman, who topped 600 yards with the Bucs in 2019, would stand to be Brown insurance. The All-Decade wideout has missed the past two Bucs games.

Buccaneers To Sign WR Breshad Perriman

November 9th, 2021 at 5:17pm CST by Ben Levine

Breshad Perriman has already found his next gig. The veteran wideout has cleared waivers and will sign with the Buccaneers, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). Perriman will initially join the Buccaneers practice squad but is expected to be promoted to the active roster sooner than later.

This will be Perriman’s second stint in Tampa Bay. The wideout spent the 2019 season with the Buccaneers, hauling in 36 receptions for 645 yards and six touchdowns. That performance earned him a one-year, $8MM deal ($6MM guaranteed) with the Jets. He had a solid season in New York during the 2020 campaign, finishing with 511 yards from scrimmage.

The 28-year-old caught on with the Lions this offseason, but he was cut by the team at the end of the preseason. He soon signed a one-year pact with the Bears, but he was released earlier this week after having not appeared in a single snap with Chicago.

The Buccaneers and Tom Brady have had success recruiting offensive weapons to Tampa Bay. While Perriman will likely see a secondary role on the offense, he could have an increased chance at reps with Antonio Brown sidelined.

Bucs Designate Sean Murphy-Bunting, Scotty Miller For Return

November 2nd, 2021 at 8:22pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Buccaneers’ cornerbacks and pass-catching corps have encountered constant injury trouble this season, but the defending champions will have some help soon.

Cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting and wideout Scotty Miller surfaced as IR-return players Tuesday. Given that this is a bye week, that marks a good sign for their prospects of being active when the Bucs resume play in Week 10. Each has 21 days from Tuesday to return to action.

Murphy-Bunting, a former second-round pick, has been out since going down with a dislocated elbow in Week 1. A two-year Bucs starter who notched three interceptions during the 2020 playoffs, Murphy-Bunting was the first of a few Tampa Bay corners to go down this season. The Bucs subsequently lost Jamel Dean and Carlton Davis, though Dean has since returned. Davis, who has been out since Week 4, is eyeing a Week 10 return. The cornerback brought in because of this injury run, Richard Sherman, has also missed the past two Bucs games. Fellow replacement Dee Delaney also missed last week’s game.

Operating as the Bucs’ No. 4 wide receiver, Miller has seen a “severe” turf toe case sideline him since Week 3. Miller has just two catches this season but eclipsed 500 receiving yards in 2020. He added a rather crucial deep touchdown grab in the NFC championship game to help the Bucs to their second Super Bowl.

The Bucs have since played without Antonio Brown and Rob Gronkowski for much of the time between then and their loss to the Saints on Sunday. With Brown not expected to need an IR stint, it is possible the Bucs will deploy Gronk, Brown and Miller alongside Mike Evans and Chris Godwin following their bye week.

Buccaneers Eyeing CB Help?

November 2nd, 2021 at 8:58am CST by Zachary Links

Rival teams believe that the Buccaneers will try to trade for a cornerback between now and this afternoon’s deadline, according to sources who spoke with PFT. The 6-2 Bucs don’t necessarily have to make an upgrade today, but they could use a veteran to shore up their depleted secondary. 

Richard Sherman dressed for Sunday’s game against the Saints, though fellow corner Dee Delaney was held out with an ankle injury. It’s been a recurring theme throughout the year as the Bucs have been forced to place defensive backs Sean Murphy-Bunting and Carlton Davis on IR while holding Antoine Winfield Jr. out of action with a concussion. Sherman would have been the ideal stopgap solution, if not for his own hamstring issues.

Bucs GM Jason Licht could get in touch with the Broncos, who are fielding calls on cornerback Kyle Fuller as well as defensive back Kareem Jackson. Fuller, 29, is still owed the balance of his one-year, $9.5MM deal, though the Broncos could pick up part of the tab, as they did in yesterday’s Von Miller trade. There’s reason to believe that Fuller could be had via trade, especially since he barely played in yesterday’s 17-10 win over Washington.

While this hasn’t been a banner year for Fuller, he does boast two career Pro Bowl selections from 2018 and 2019. He was also a part of three solid Bears defenses, though Pro Football Focus rated his most recent Chicago season as below average.

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