The Tampa Bay Buccaneers need a win in the worst way and will look for it on Sunday when they head up to Carolina to take on the Panthers.
Two tough divisional losses have left the Bucs still in control of their own destiny to reach the playoffs and capture their fifth consecutive NFC South title. Largely in thanks to the New Orleans Saints' upset over the Panthers on Sunday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers still sit atop the division, and a win on Sunday all but locks it up.
In a move to help make that goal a reality, the Buccaneers have made several adjustments to their defense this week.
In a move to shore up depth at linebacker, the Bucs brought back Anthony Walker to the active roster, signing him from the Indianapolis Colts' practice squad. Walker signed with the Bucs in free agency and looked to have a big role on the defense, but a training camp injury sidelined him through preseason. There was a belief that he would be placed on injured reserve with the chance to come off in four games. However, the Bucs shockingly moved on from the veteran. They had hoped to get him back on the practice squad, but he decided to return to the Colts. With SirVocea Dennis still banged up after missing the Falcons game, Walker provides an insurance policy should he struggle. To make room for Walker, the Bucs placed cornerback Zyon McCollum on injured reserve with a hip injury.
In the secondary, the Bucs activated defensive back Rashad Wisdom from injured reserve. Wisdom signed with the Bucs as an undrafted free agent in 2024 and spent the year on the practice squad. He made the active roster out of camp this year after showing his versatility to play in the slot. He recorded three special teams tackles before going down with a shoulder injury. Safety Kaevon Merriweather was released to make room on the roster for his return and signed with the Houston Texans' practice squad.
In addition to those moves, former three-time special teams All-Pro and safety J.T. Gray was signed to the active roster. Gray joined the Bucs' practice squad in late November and was elevated for the Week 15 game against the Falcons, registering one special teams tackle. Linebacker Nick Jackson was released from the active roster to make room and will likely be re-signed to the practice squad should he clear waivers. Tampa Bay also re-signed C.J. Brewer to the practice squad this week and released wide receiver Brandon Johnson.