A day before a key matchup against the Saints, the Bucs announced Saturday afternoon that they had promoted cornerback Derek Pitts Jr. and tight end David Wells from the practice squad to the active roster.
Bucks TE David Wells โ Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
Both Pitts and Wells will look to make up for the absences of players who have already been ruled out for tomorrow, including cornerback Carlton Davis III and tight end Ko Kieft.
as informed by the team, Pitts’ second ascent and Wells’ first. This is the first time Wells has been promoted, but he did put up some scoring early in the season before rookie Payne Durham took over as the Bucs’ No. 2 tight end.
Bucks action is expected at both elevations on Sunday.
With Carlton Davis III and Ko Kieft out, what does it mean for their chances to play against New Orleans if Derek Pitts Jr. and David Wells are inactive on game day?
For Pitts, the path to playing time is clearer. Jamel Dean and Zion McCollum will be the starters on the outside, with Christian Isian at nickelback. He fills out their back depth along with another rookie in Josh Hayes.
Bucks CB Derek Pitts โ Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
Pitts has appeared in three games this season, his most active in the NFL coming in Week 3 against the Eagles. In that game, he played 18 defensive snaps (23%) and 13 special teams snaps (65%). I’d like to see him join the special teams team in some capacity.
In the case of David Wells, his prospects are even more uncertain. Wells, who couldn’t contribute as a receiver (two catches for negative yards) and lost his role to Payne Durham early on, isn’t an above-average blocker. Instead, expect the journeyman tight end to see Cade Otton and Durham on the field for just one or two snaps at a time.
Wells has not played in a game since Week 4. He has played in at least 10 games in each of the Bucs’ first four games and could join Derek Pitts Jr. on the special teams roster.
