Buccaneers Call Up Two Players Ahead of Commanders Game

0

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have made a pair of roster moves ahead of their wildcard matchup against the Washington Commanders on Sunday.

Linebacker Deion Jones and wide receiver Tanner Knue have been elevated from the practice squad to the active roster, bolstering the team’s depth for the crucial postseason game.

Via the team’s website,

“On Saturday, the Buccaneers elevated linebacker Deion Jones and wide receiver Tanner Knue from the practice squad, making them eligible to play in Sunday night’s playoff opener against Washington.”

—

Linebacker Jones, 30, is a seasoned veteran who was originally drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Notably, Jones signed a lucrative four-year, $57 million contract extension with the Falcons in 2019, which included $34 million in guaranteed money. This deal was negotiated as he entered the final year of his rookie contract, which was set to pay him a base salary of $1.07 million for the 2019 season.

Jones’ contract took another turn when he agreed to a restructured deal, which eliminated the final year of his contract. At the time, Jones was slated to earn base salaries of $9.64 million and $12 million in the last two years of the original agreement. Instead, the reworked deal paved the way for his eventual departure from Atlanta. The Falcons ultimately traded Jones to the Cleveland Browns in 2024, with the teams swapping late-round draft picks.

Jones had a brief stint with the Carolina Panthers during the offseason, signing a contract with the team. However, his tenure was short-lived, as he was released by the Panthers following training camp. Jones was subsequently added to the practice squad, where he waited for another opportunity. He eventually got the call, being promoted to the active roster by the Panthers.

—

Jones’ journey continued with a stint in Buffalo, where he signed with the Bills in May. However, his time with the team was short-lived, as he was released after the preseason. Jones eventually found a new opportunity with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, joining the team midseason and being added to their practice squad. This season, Jones has seen action in two games for the Buccaneers, registering a single tackle.

Tanner Knue’s journey with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers began in May, when he signed as an undrafted free agent out of Eastern Michigan. Knue made a notable impression during the preseason, appearing in all three games and hauling in nine receptions for 86 yards and a touchdown. He also showcased his versatility on special teams, returning three punts for 32 yards and two kickoffs for 50 yards.

–

As part of the NFL’s practice squad elevation rule, introduced in 2020, teams can activate up to two practice squad players per game. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have taken advantage of this option by elevating Deion Jones and Tanner Knue, bringing their total available players to 55 ahead of their matchup against the Washington Commanders at Raymond James Stadium. However, only 48 players can be active for the game, with the team required to designate seven players as inactive prior to kickoff.

Follow, Like and Subscribe to Bucs Report

BucsReport.com

BucsReport.com

For more on this and everything Buccaneers check back here hourly at BucsReport.com

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail