Bucs Promote OL, Sign WR, Place Mike Evans On Injured Reserve
The Bucs not only provided the latest injury updates on Wednesday afternoon, but they also began addressing some of those concerns shortly after.
Tampa Bay announced several transactions , including promoting offensive lineman Michael Jordan from the practice squad to the active roster, placing wide receiver Mike Evans on injured reserve, and signing wide receiver Brandon Johnson to the practice squad.
Bucs Secure Offensive Line Help For Rest Of Season
Michael Jordan has had an interesting path to playing time with the Bucs this season. One would not have expected Jordan to start games at left and right guard, but injuries to left tackle Tristan Wirfs and right guard Cody Mauch have necessitated several shuffles along the offensive line.
Jordan has filled an important role throughout the first half of the year, starting in Weeks 1 and 2 when the offense made the surprising decision to kick center Graham Barton to left tackle and left guard Ben Bredeson to center. During those games, the journeyman who signed in late July plugged right in between them in the starting lineup and did not miss a beat. He would succumb to a knee injury that would keep him out since then, only returning in Monday night’s Week 7 game on the right side of the offensive line.
After being elevated for the maximum three games from the practice squad to the active roster, Tampa Bay decided to sign Jordan to 53-man roster for the rest of the season as he now takes the spot of wide receiver Mike Evans. He will remain in the mix to start at right guard the rest of the way, along with Luke Haggard, Elijah Klein, and Dan Feeney.
The Bucs have been Jordan’s latest stop in an NFL career that has spanned 70 games, including 43 starts, since being drafted by the Bengals in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He has also suited up for the Panthers and Panthers.
Mike Evans To Injured Reserve Gives WR Brandon Johnson Another Chance
The next bit of news comes as no surprise.
After Mike Evans suffered a broken collarbone, it was only a matter of time before he was moved to the injured reserve. That will keep him out for a minimum of four games, but his recovery window extends into the six-eight-week range as a mid-December return is the most likely scenario.
With the Bucs’ wide receiver room currently possessing Emeka Egbuka, Sterling Shepard, Tez Johnson, Kameron Johnson, and Ryan Miller, and with Chris Godwin Jr. recovering and a possibility to play against the Saints, they elected not to sign another wideout to the 53-man roster.
Instead, the team has brought in Brandon Johnson on the practice squad.
Not only does this Johnson make it Three’s Company of wide receivers sharing the same last name, but he also stands at 6-foot-2, 195 pounds and has played in 23 games between the Broncos and Steelers since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2022. He has 26 receptions for 335 yards and five touchdowns in his career. His most productive year came in 2024, when he recorded 19 receptions for 284 yards and four touchdowns in Denver catching passes from rookie Bo Nix.
Now, he enters the mix in Tampa Bay and has another chance to make an impact. It will take time for him to get acclimated to offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard’s offense, but his blend of size and NFL experience gives him a chance to see the field at some point.
A Trade Proposal for Maxx Crosby with an NFC North Rival Could Be the Chicago Bears' Most Devastating Catastrophe of the Season
For the next two weeks, there's going to be plenty of speculation on who is going to get traded throughout the NFL. The Chicago Bears might not be in those conversations, but their NFC North rivals sure will be.
One team from that division receiving some attention is the Detroit Lions. Sitting at a 5-2 record, many experts believe the Lions will be aggressive at next month's trade deadline to add one more piece to make them Super Bowl contenders.
Bleacher Report's Moe Moton likes the Lions to be one of five teams that could make a compelling enough trade offer for Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby. Detroit would have to give up a lot to get Crosby, though.
Detroit Lions Get: Edge Maxx Crosby
Las Vegas Raiders Get: 2026 1st-round pick, 2026 4th-round pick, 2027 1st-round pick, 2027 5th-round pick, DT Roy Lopez
Bears are praying that deal never gets made for the Lions
Much of this speculation began when Trey Wingo shared that sources told him that the Dallas Cowboys had inquired with the Raiders about a possible trade for Crosby. That report has since been disputed, with Las Vegas even setting up a meeting with Crosby to tell him they have no intentions of trading him away.
Chicago, unfortunately, is very familiar with Crosby's work on the field. The four-time Pro Bowler had five tackles, three tackles for loss, one quarterback hit, three pass deflections, one forced fumble, and one interception in the Bears' 25-24 win over the Raiders in Week 4. There was some mutual respect between Crosby and Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, though, as the two complimented each other on their play.
Read more: Bears' quiet release hints at something brewing behind the scenes in Chicago
After that game, the Bears would be more than happy to have Crosby stay in the AFC so that they don't have to play him twice a year in the NFC North.
