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Kendell Beckwith returns to practice, Bucs promote Javien Elliot

By Ryan Doyle

ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 22: Kwon Alexander #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates with Kendell Beckwith #51 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the third quarter of an NFL game against the Buffalo Bills on October 22, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 22: Kwon Alexander #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates with Kendell Beckwith #51 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the third quarter of an NFL game against the Buffalo Bills on October 22, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers starting linebacker Kendell Beckwith practiced for the first time this season. He may be the reinforcement the defensive unit needed.

Kendell Beckwith suited up for practice on Wednesday for the first time all season. The second-year linebacker is coming off a tremendous rookie campaign and is on track to return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lineup soon.

Greg Auman of The Athletic first reported the news on Tuesday.

Beckwith suffered an ankle injury in a car crash in April. He needed surgery to repair the damage. After six months of recovery, he is ready to resume football activities.

Beckwith’s absence has been a significant loss for Tampa Bay. On paper, the linebacking trio of Kwon Alexander, Lavonte David and Beckwith appeared to be one of the team’s strengths.

With Beckwith out for the first half of the season and Alexander out for the year with a torn ACL, the Bucs need reinforcements at the second level.

Tampa will bring him along slowly, but Beckwith’s appearance on the practice field is a good sign. He hasn’t been officially ruled out for Sunday’s contest against the Carolina Panthers, but it could be another week or two before he is on the field on Sunday.

Defensive linemen Gerald McCoy and Vinny Curry were also spotted at practice on Wednesday.

Bucs make a trio of roster moves

The Buccaneers were busy on Tuesday as they shuffled their roster around with Beckwith’s pending return.

Tampa Bay released veteran linebacker Kevin Minter and promoted cornerback Javien Elliot to the 53-man roster.

Minter signed with the Bucs last week, and he made one tackle during last week’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, his former team.

Elliot has bounced around the 53-man roster and the practice squad. With nickel corner M.J. Stewart banged up this week, Elliot will provide depth and potentially get some snaps at nickel corner.

Next. Buccaneers stay quiet at the trade deadline. dark

To fill Elliot’s spot on the practice squad, the Bucs brought back running back Dare Ogunbowale. He had a strong preseason and could be called upon if injuries hit the halfback unit.

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