Bucs address a major roster hole with a free agent signing on Tuesday
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' linebacking corps is, well, hurting. Literally and figuratively. The Bucs were down their top two options going into Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders, with both K.J. Britt and J.J. Russell missing the game. SirVocea Dennis is also still on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. The team elevated Vi Jones from […]
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' linebacking corps is, well, hurting. Literally and figuratively.
The Bucs were down their top two options going into Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders, with both K.J. Britt and J.J. Russell missing the game. SirVocea Dennis is also still on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. The team elevated Vi Jones from the practice squad before the game, who logged 40 snaps in Tampa Bay's 28-13 win.
Now, the Bucs have another option, and an experienced one at that, at least. The team signed veteran linebacker Deion Jones to their practice squad on Tuesday.
If you're thinking Jones' name is familiar, you have good reason. Jones delivered the final blow to the Bucs' 2019 season with a walk-off overtime pick six in the finale. That would be the final throw by Jameis Winston in a Bucs uniform, with the Tom Brady era beginning just a few months later.
Jones, who earned Pro Bowl honors in 2017 with Atlanta, last played in the NFL last season with the Carolina Panthers, totaling 35 tackles in 13 games with 3 starts. His last significant season came in 2021 with Atlanta, where he totaled 135 tackles for the Falcons.
At this point, Jones is a practice squad body and insurance policy as much as anything. If the Bucs end up having to give him significant reps, then they're in a bad spot at the position.
We'll find out if either Britt and/or Russell can get back on the practice field this week as the team gets ready for the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. If they can't, then the Bucs could end up seeing a pair of Joneses on the plane to Los Angeles this weekend.
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