Buccaneers quietly sign free agent to after two players suffer season-ending injuries

Despite an offseason dedicated to adding talent and depth to the offensive line, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have already taken multiple hits in the weeks leading into the preseason.

Last week, offensive guard Sua Opeta, one of the Bucs’ more underrated free-agent signings, tore his ACL and is out for the entire 2024 season. Meanwhile, offensive lineman Silas Dzansi injured his knee during 11-on-11 drills during practice last week, and has subsequently been placed on injured reserve ahead of the Bucs' first preseason game. 

With Opeta and Dzansi both out of the picture, Tampa Bay's offensive line has lost signifigant depth at the tackle and guard spots. It’s once again placed some pressure on the team needing to figure out ways to ensure positive momentum is gained after back-to-back seasons of poor play upfront.

On Thursday, the Buccaneers took a step to gaining some depth back by signing guard Ryan Johnson out of free agency to add depth at left guard and potentially compete for a starting job.

Buccaneers signing Ryan Johnson could end up being a clutch training camp addition

Johnson played all along the offensive in college, beginning his collegiate career at Duquesne for two seasons. As a freshman, Johnson started all 11 games at right guard and helped anchor the Dukes' offensive line that allowed just 1.55 sacks per game, the 26th best in the country. Johnson also paved the way for seven separate 100+ yard rushing performances in 2019.

After playing in just four games as a sophomore, Johnson transferred to Youngstown State and started 28 games in three seasons. Johnson was particularly solid in his final season as a Penguin, starting ten games along the offensive line, nine of which at right guard, and helped Jaleel McLaughlin win the Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Player of the Year.

With that, Johnson went undrafted in the 2023 NFL draft, but later signed with New England as an undrafted free agent in May of 2023. Johnson never suited up for the Patriots, as he was cut just two months later.

While Johnson won't play in Tampa Bay's first preseason game against Cincinnati, he is set to make his team debut at the Bucs' practice on Monday. Tampa Bay still has over $7 million in salary cap space to add another offensive lineman in free agency, with these five highlighting the top remaining options on the market.

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