Bucs Waive Offensive Tackle

A day after placing Pro Bowl outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett on injured reserve and re-signing a pair of veterans – wide receiver Tyler Johnson and cornerback Ryan Smith – to the practice squad, the Bucs have made another roster move. On Tuesday, the Bucs waived veteran offensive tackle Fred Johnson.

The 6-foot-7, 326-pound Johnson, was signed in the offseason with the hopes that he might unseat veteran Josh Wells as the team’s swing tackle. That didn’t happen, as Johnson struggled in camp and the preseason and was relegated to playing just right guard in a reserve role.

Johnson made the 53-man roster in September, but didn’t play much during the season, just seeing limited time as an extra blocking tight end and 18 snaps on special teams. Brandon Walton passed Johnson, who played in just five games this year, on the depth chart at offensive tackle behind Wells. Johnson was inactive for two of the Bucs’ first eight games, and did not play last Thursday.

Bucs Have Options To Fill Vacant Roster Spot

The Bucs did not make a corresponding roster move to accompany Johnson’s release, but could do so on Wednesday to fill that roster spot. Of course, the Bucs could elevate Johnson and Smith from the practice squad to fill the roster spots created by Johnson’s release and Barrett getting placed on injured reserve.

Johnson entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Florida and signed with the Steelers in 2019. He was claimed off waivers by the Bengals in October during his rookie season. Johnson went on to play in 23 games, including eight starts in Cincinnati from 2019-21.

Johnson’s departure leaves the Bucs with just eight offensive linemen, including injured rookie left guard Luke Goedeke, who missed Thursday’s game versus Baltimore with a foot injury. Rookie tackle Dylan Cook is a candidate to be elevated from the practice squad to replace Johnson on the depth chart.