This afternoon, the Bucks announced two roster changes ahead of Monday night’s matchup with the Eagles. That includes placing Chase Edmonds on injured reserve and promoting defensive lineman Pat O’Connor from the practice squad to the active roster.
The official release is here.
Bucs RB depth chart takes a hit.
Bucks RB Chase Edmonds – Photo courtesy of USA Today
As we stated earlier this week, it was likely that Chase Edmonds would be placed on injured reserve with a Grade 2 MCL sprain, and now that plain fact is confirmed. This leaves the running back depth chart even thinner and less experienced. Edmonds was supposed to be a change-of-pace backup running back after signing with the team in free agency, but he only had four carries for 20 yards this season before getting injured.
Without the sixth-year player behind Rashard White, only undrafted rookies Sean Tucker and Ke’Shawn Vaughn remain behind him, while Patrick Laird remains on the practice squad.
The Bucs seem to value Tucker’s potential, having named him White’s primary backup, but so far this season he has 13 carries for 22 yards (1.7 yards per carry average), 2 receptions, He only recorded 9 yards. As for Vaughn, he hasn’t played a snap this season, and his lack of a role speaks to the team not seeing him as more than a depth option.
This could increase interest in acquiring an experienced backup running back, but there is limited talent on the market. Kareem Hunt just returned to the Browns following Nick Chubb’s season-ending injury, and Cam Akers could be acquired in a trade with the Rams, but Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds recently reported that the Bucs I wrote about how he wasn’t showing any interest.
movement did it But for now, the depth chart looks like White, then Tucker, then Vaughn, until Edmonds potentially returns later in the season.
Bucs Bolster DL Depth and Open Roster Spots
Bucs DE Pat O’Connor – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
With a spot open on their active roster, the Bucs decided to take advantage of it by promoting veteran defensive lineman Pat O’Connor. For O’Connor, this marks an official return to the roster. He is one of the Buccaneers’ longest-tenured players, having first signed with the team in 2017.
During that time, he appeared in 58 games with Tampa Bay, totaling 20 tackles and 1.5 sacks. What doesn’t show up in the box score, and the biggest source of his value, is his special teams ability and leadership up front.
He has a chance to remain on the roster for the foreseeable future after being released during roster cuts and re-signing to the practice squad. O’Connor could also receive a few snaps in the next few games, as rookie Kariya Kanshi is still recovering from a right calf injury.
In another move, the Bucs signed defensive tackle Deadlin Ceannt to the practice squad. He will be called up to the active roster in O’Connor’s place.
