Bucs’ Rob Gronkowski Unsure About Retirement
Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski says he isn’t sure if he’ll return for another year of football (Twitter link via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times). With that in mind, the Bucs’ upcoming game against the Washington Football Team could be his last.
[RELATED: Bucs Sign Bucannon To Practice Squad]
“It’s just the start of playoffs right now. There’s always a time for that,” Gronkowski said.
Gronk plans to make the call roughly one month after the season ends. His first retirement came in the spring of 2019, citing physical pain and a lack of motivation. In his return to Tampa Bay, Gronk seems to have healed on both fronts. The 31-year-old has played in every game for the Bucs, catching 45 passes for 623 yards and seven scores. Those numbers aren’t as gaudy as his Pro Bowl years with the Patriots, but it’s clear that he still has plenty left in the tank.
It stands to reason that Gronk will want to continue playing alongside Tom Brady, but he won’t be bound to the Bucs either. The future Hall of Famer will be an unrestricted free agent in March, allowing him to play anywhere he wants — if he plays at all.
Buccaneers Add LB Deone Bucannon To Practice Squad
Deone Bucannon has landed back in Tampa Bay. The team announced that they’ve signed the linebacker to their practice squad. To make room, the team released guard Nick Leverett from the practice squad (via The Athletic’s Greg Auman on Twitter).
Linebacker Devin White remains on the reserve/COVID-19 list, and it’s uncertain if he’ll be able to suit up for Saturday’s Wild Card matchup against Washington. At the very least, Bucannon will provide Tampa Bay will some extra depth at the position during practice this week. At the very best, Bucannon could find himself elevated to the roster, with Scott Smith of the team website noting that the veteran is a “candidate” for a promotion.
Bucannon, 28, has plenty of experience with the Buccaneers’ defense, having played five games for the team in 2019 and played four seasons under Bucs head coach Bruce Arians in Arizona. The linebacker split his 2019 campaign between the Buccaneers and Giants, compiling 28 tackles in 14 games. It’s been a while since Bucannon was a full-time starter, but he averaged 71 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1.5 forced fumbles, and three passes defended in 14.3 games per season between the 2014 and 2017 campaigns.
Leverett was a four-year starter at North Carolina Central University and Rice. He joined the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent back in April, and he landed on their practice squad in September.
Buccaneers Activate LB Shaquil Barrett From Reserve/COVID-19 List
Buccaneers linebacker Shaquil Barrett is expected to be in uniform for this weekend’s Wild Card playoff game against Washington. The team announced today that they’ve activated Barrett from the reserve/COVID-19 list.
We learned last week that linebacker Devin White had tested positive for COVID-19, and Barrett subsequently landed on the reserve/COVID-19 list as a close contact. White’s positive test ultimately sidelined both players for Week 17, and while Barrett will surely be back on the field this weekend, there’s still no definitive word on White’s status (it was initially assumed that he’d miss the contest).
Following a 2019 campaign where he compiled 19.5 sacks, Barrett had another solid showing in 2020. The former undrafted free agent ultimately finished the regular season having compiled 57 tackles, eight sacks, and a pair of forced fumbles.
Barrett was slapped with the franchise tag last offseason. Barring another tag, Barrett should be able to secure a long-term deal as an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
Defensive lineman Steve McLendon was also placed on reserve/COVID-19 list alongside Barrett and White last week. There’s been no update on his status.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 1/6/21
Today’s practice squad moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: CB Terrell Bonds
- Released: LB James Crawford
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: TE Ricky Seals-Jones
San Francisco 49ers
- Released: RB Tyler Gaffney
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: RB C.J. Prosise
- Released: CB Mazzi Wilkins
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: WR Marcus Johnson
Washington Football Team
- Signed: RB Javon Leake
Minor NFL Transactions: 1/2/21
Here are Saturday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Christian Kirk
- Promoted: DL Stacy McGee, LB Terrance Smith, CB Jace Whittaker
Atlanta Falcons
- Promoted: WR Chris Rowland, WR Devin Gray, TE Jared Pinkney
Baltimore Ravens
- Promoted: CB Nate Brooks, QB Tyler Huntley
Buffalo Bills
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: TE Tyler Kroft; Kroft contracted the coronavirus
- Promoted: TE Nate Becker, CB Dane Jackson, DE Mike Love, RB Antonio Williams
Carolina Panthers
- Promoted: LB Clay Johnston, T Aaron Monteiro, QB Tommy Stevens
- Placed on IR: CB Troy Pride
Chicago Bears
- Promoted: DB Xavier Crawford
Cincinnati Bengals
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Mike Daniels
- Promoted: LB Keandre Jones, DT Kahlil McKenzie, CB Winston Rose
Cleveland Browns
- Signed off Jets’ practice squad: G Blake Hance
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: S Karl Joseph
- Promoted: G Cordell Iwuagwu, LB Montrel Meander, T Alex Taylor
Dallas Cowboys
- Activated from IR: DB Steven Parker
- Promoted: DT Walter Palmore, T William Sweet
Denver Broncos
- Placed on IR: WR K.J. Hamler
- Promoted: LB Josh Watson
Detroit Lions
- Activated from IR: DT Danny Shelton
- Promoted: C Evan Brown, DT Albert Huggins, S Bobby Price
- Waived: DL Frank Herron
Green Bay Packers
- Placed on IR: David Bakhtiari (story)
- Promoted: G Ben Braden, DL Brian Price
Houston Texans
- Promoted: OL Greg Mancz, WR Steven Mitchell
- Placed on IR: OL Brent Qvale
Indianapolis Colts
- Promoted: S Ibraheim Campbell, T Jared Veldheer
- Activated from IR: TE Noah Togiai
- Waived: WR Marcus Johnson
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Placed on IR: WR Collin Johnson
- Promoted: WR Terry Godwin, OL Tre’vour Wallace-Simms
Las Vegas Raiders
- Activated from IR: S Jeff Heath
- Promoted: LB James Onwualu, OL Erik Magnuson
Los Angeles Chargers
- Promoted: DB John Brannon
Los Angeles Rams
- Promoted: QB Bryce Perkins
Miami Dolphins
- Promoted: S Nate Holley, WR Marcus Kemp, QB Reid Sinnett
- Waived: FB Chandler Cox
Minnesota Vikings
- Promoted: CB Tae Hayes, Cordrea Tankersley, DE Eddie Yarbrough
New England Patriots
- Placed on IR: RB Damien Harris
- Promoted: TE/DL Rashod Berry, CB Michael Jackson, LB Cassh Maluia, OL Ross Reynolds, CB D’Angelo Ross
New Orleans Saints
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: FB Michael Burton, RB Latavius Murray, S D.J. Swearinger, RB Dwayne Washington; Murray and Washington are close contacts of COVID-positive Alvin Kamara (story)
- Promoted: LB Andrew Dowell, TE Garrett Griffin, CB Grant Haley, LB Chase Hansen, WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey, RB Tony Jones Jr., WR Tommylee Lewis
New York Giants
- Activated from IR: LB Kyler Fackrell, CB Madre Harper
- Promoted: P Ryan Santoso
- Placed on IR: FB Elijhaa Penny
- Waived: QB/WR Joe Webb
New York Jets
- Activated from IR: G Greg Van Roten
- Waived: K Sam Ficken
- Promoted: LB Noah Dawkins, LB Sharif Finch, LB Brady Sheldon, DL Tanzel Smart
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted: S Blake Countess, DE Joe Ostman, T Prince Tega Wanogho
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: TE Eric Ebron, LB Cassius Marsh
- Promoted: WR Deon Cain, T Anthony Coyle, TE Kevin Rader, K Matthew Wright
San Francisco 49ers
- Activated from IR: G Tom Compton
- Promoted: DT Josiah Coatney, WR Jordan Matthews, K Tristan Vizcaino, OL Isaiah Williams
Seattle Seahawks
- Activated from IR: CB Tre Flowers
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: S Damarious Randall, T Brandon Shell
- Promoted: G Alex Boone, RB Alex Collins, WR Penny Hart
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted: CB Herb Miller, DL Benning Potoa’e
Tennessee Titans
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: P Brett Kern
- Promoted: LB Brooks Reed, K Sam Sloman
Washington Football Team
- Promoted: WR Dontrelle Inman
Minor NFL Transactions: 1/1/21
Here are the minor moves from New Year’s Day:
Baltimore Ravens
- Waived: DB Terrell Bonds
Buffalo Bills
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: WR John Brown
Dallas Cowboys
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Justin Hamilton, S Darian Thompson; Thompson tested positive for the coronavirus, according to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News
Las Vegas Raiders
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: S Erik Harris
Los Angeles Chargers
- Placed on IR: CB Casey Hayward, LB Malik Jefferson
- Promoted: LB Cole Christiansen, DE Joe Gaziano, TE Matt Sokol, S Jaylen Watkins
New England Patriots
- Promoted: CB Dee Virgin
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted: TE Jason Croom, LB Rashad Smith
- Placed on IR: LB Shaun Bradley, LB Duke Riley
San Francisco 49ers
- Placed on IR: T Trent Williams, DL Jordan Willis; Williams suffered an elbow injury that was set to keep him out of Week 17
- Promoted: DE Alex Barrett
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed off Patriots’ practice squad: LB Jack Cichy
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Steve McLendon
Devin White Tests Positive For COVID-19
Devin White is out for the Buccaneers’ regular-season finale and likely the team’s playoff opener. The second-year linebacker tested positive for COVID-19, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter).
In addition to White being sidelined, the Bucs placed Shaquil Barrett on their reserve/COVID-19 list. As a close contact, Barrett will miss Week 17. As a close contact, Barrett will be eligible to return for Tampa Bay’s wild-card game.
White and Barrett represent two key pillars of the Bucs’ pass rush. Despite profiling as an off-ball linebacker, White has nine sacks this season. Barrett has produced eight. Jason Pierre-Paul (team-high 9.5) will go it alone this week, and the Bucs will face the NFC East champion next week — in all likelihood — without part of their standout inside ‘backer tandem.
The Bucs used the No. 5 overall pick on White last year, marking the first time a team had devoted a top-five selection to a traditional linebacker since the Seahawks chose Aaron Curry fourth overall in 2009. White has worked out better thus far. Though Pro Football Focus has not been especially impressed with the non-pass-rushing elements of White’s game this season, he is far and away the Bucs’ tackles leader with 140. The LSU product has also racked up 15 tackles for loss and 16 QB hits in what has been a breakthrough second season.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/30/20
We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:
Baltimore Ravens
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: K Sam Koch
Cleveland Browns
- Activated from IR: S Ronnie Harrison
Indianapolis Colts
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: T Braden Smith
Las Vegas Raiders
- Placed on IR: DE Clelin Ferrell
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Daryl Worley
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: RB Jalen Richard
Los Angeles Chargers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: C Ryan Groy; Groy remains on IR
Los Angeles Rams
- Activated from IR: LB Micah Kiser
Miami Dolphins
- Promoted: WR Isaiah Ford
Minnesota Vikings
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: T Riley Reiff
New England Patriots
- Waived: TE Jordan Thomas
New Orleans Saints
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson
New York Jets
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: RB La’Mical Perine; Perine tested positive for the coronavirus
- Placed on IR: OL Josh Andrews
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: K Tristan Vizcaino
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: KR Jaydon Mickens
- Placed on IR: RB Kenjon Barner
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/29/20
Here are Tuesday’s minor moves:
Dallas Cowboys
- Waived: T Jordan Mills
Houston Texans
- Claimed off waivers (from Ravens): S Geno Stone
Indianapolis Colts
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Jordan Glasgow
Las Vegas Raiders
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Nicholas Morrow
Los Angeles Rams
- Activated from IR: OL Bobby Evans
- Waived: CB Dee Virgin
Minnesota Vikings
- Placed on IR: TE Kyle Rudolph
- Promoted: G Kyle Hinton
New York Jets
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: TE Ryan Griffin
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: LS Colin Holba
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: TE Charlie Woerner
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: RB Ronald Jones
Tennessee Titans
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: K Stephen Gostkowski, P Brett Kern
Buccaneers To Sign Drew Stanton
The Buccaneers are set to sign quarterback Drew Stanton to the practice squad, as Peter Schrager of NFL.com tweets. Stanton played under head coach Bruce Arians with the Cardinals, so he’ll provide a mix of familiarity and insurance somewhere behind Tom Brady. 
Stanton, 36, first entered the league in 2007 as a second-round pick of the Lions. He hasn’t quite lived up to his Michigan State hype, but he has been a practice field fave for many coaches around the league. All in all, he has 38 career appearances to his credit, including 17 starts.
His last live action came in 2017 on Arians’ Cardinals team, but he’s been in the NFL orbit over the last few years. Stanton’s two-year Browns contract in 2018 didn’t lead to any snaps, but he did find himself in the news as a part of last year’s Freddie Kitchens drama. Stanton — the third-string QB — was rumored to have a significant hand in the team’s game plan. That didn’t sit well with star Odell Beckham Jr., offensive coordinator Todd Monken, and many others in the locker room.
Of course, Stanton isn’t expected to siphon offensive control from Arians or Brady, who will be aiming to clinch a playoff berth on Saturday against the Lions.