Buccaneers sign Kevin Minter as injuries pile up at linebacker

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers added veteran linebacker Kevin Minter after injuries hit the position hard last week.

According to The Athletic’s Greg Auman, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed linebacker Kevin Minter to a contract.

Minter is a six-year NFL veteran who spent last season with the Cincinnati Bengals. Minter played in nine games, totaling 16 tackles on the season. Before his stint with the Bengals, Minter lined up for the Arizona Cardinals for four seasons.

Minter racked up 175 tackles, a forced fumble and five sacks in Arizona. Buccaneers’ general manager Jason Licht was in the Cardinals front office when the organization selected Minter in the second round of the 2013 draft.

Tampa Bay is set to face the Bengals this week, which is where Minter played last season. He should be able to provide some insight during practice this week.

While Minter may not excite any of the Bucs faithful, he does have experience on his side. Just two seasons ago, Minter was starting for the Cardinals. He had 81 combined tackles, nine tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.

It may take him a few weeks to get back into game shape, but Minter could be pushing for significant snaps at some point this season.

Tampa Bay desperately needed to add depth at linebacker. Both Kwon Alexander and Jack Cichy suffered torn ACL‘s in last week’s win over the Cleveland Browns.

Oddly enough, Minter and Alexander were teammates at LSU. Minter may not be able to come close to matching Alexander’s production; he provides veteran depth which Tampa Bay needs.\

There weren’t many intriguing names left in the free agent market, but Minter is a good snag. Over the hill veterans like NaVorro Bowman and Derrick Johnson are available, but Minter may have more left in the tank at 27.

UPDATE: The Buccaneers also signed cornerback De’Vante Harris, who spent time with the team earlier this season. Tampa waived cornerback Javien Elliot as well.