Bucs Sign Veteran Tight End to Practice Squad: Report

Getty The Buccaneers have signed Darren Fells to the practice squad.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed veteran tight end Darren Fells to the practice squad.

The Buccaneers made the move with the possibility that Fells could be elevated to the active roster in time for Week 10 against the Washington Football Team, according to Greg Auman of The Athletic.

“I can confirm Bucs are signing TE Darren Fells to their practice squad,” says Auman. “He’s 35, but had 11 TD catches in 2019-20. With Gronk still recovering, he can be elevated as third TE Sunday behind Howard and Brate.”

Fells is an eight-year NFL veteran and previously played for head coach Bruce Arians when he was with the Arizona Cardinals from 2014 until 2016. Fells had served as the Detroit Lions’ starting tight end this season before he was released on Monday, November 8.

Fells had requested his release from the Lions.

Meanwhile, Rob Gronkowski is still dealing with a nagging back injury. The starting tight end was sidelined for several games after suffering rib injuries versus the Los Angeles Rams. He made his return in Week 8 against the New Orleans Saints, but was limited to just six plays.

According to Auman, neither Gronkowski or Antonio Brown (foot) look close to returning for Sunday’s matchup against Washington. Gronkowski and Brown were seen working on the side for Wednesday’s practice session.

“So Rob Gronkowski and Antonio Brown are only working on the side with trainers at Bucs practice today,” says Auman. “Neither looks close to being in play for Sunday.”

If Gronkowski can’t go, Fells would project as the third tight end along with O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate.

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Key Bucs Players Could Return in Week 10

Although Gronkowski and Brown don’t exactly appear to be primed to return for Sunday’s game, Bucs cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting and wide receiver Scotty Miller could play in Week 10, according to Auman.

Both Murphy-Bunting and Miller practiced on Wednesday, November 10 as look close to coming off of injured reserve.

Murphy-Bunting hasn’t played since suffering a dislocated elbow in Week 1. Meanwhile, Miller hasn’t played since suffering a turf toe injury against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 3.

Bucs Add Perriman to Practice Squad

Speaking of practice squad moves, the Buccaneers also made another notable veteran addition — the signing of former Bucs receiver Breshad Perriman. The decision was likely made due to Brown’s lingering foot injury.

Perriman starred for the Bucs during Arians’ first season in Tampa Bay in 2019. The former first-round draft pick had arguably the best season of his career in Tampa Bay, catching a career-high 36 passes for 645 yards and six touchdowns.

The 28-year-old spent the first eight weeks of the season with the Chicago Bears, but didn’t appear in a single game with the team. He was also released by the Detroit Lions in late August prior to the regular season beginning.

The seventh-year veteran holds career numbers of 125 receptions on 2,006 yards and 14 touchdowns in 63 games and 22 starts.

To clear space for Perriman and Fells, the Buccaneers released wide receiver John Hurst and tight end Deon Yelder from the practice squad.