Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers announced some tough news Thursday after defensive end Da'Quan Bowers suffered a torn Achilles tendon while participating in the club's offseason program. He's expected to miss the entire 2012 season. This news comes on the same day that the Bucs are believed to be moving Ronde Barber to safety from cornerback. Michael Bennett figures to see an increase in playing time with Bowers out.

Achilles - Expected to be out for the season

The St. Petersburg Times reports the Bucs placed DB Aqib Talib on injured reserve Monday with a hamstring injury. The team signed DL Jovan Haye to take his roster spot.

Hamstring - IR. Out for the season

Free agent defensive tackle Amobi Okoye has signed a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a source told ESPN.com. Okoye registered four sacks for the Bears in 2011, serving primarily as a backup. He was drafted in the first-round pick of the Houston Texans in 2007, says The Sports Xchange. Several teams expressed interest, according to the report, including the Bears.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have selected Northwestern tight end Drake Dunsmore with the second of two picks the team had in the seventh round of the NFL draft. Dunsmore had 45 receptions for 522 yards and six touchdowns at Northwestern last season. He finished his college career with 143 catches for 1,567 yards and 14 TDs.

The Titans waived 15 players ahead of Saturday's NFL roster deadline. The players cut on Friday were: LB Rennie Curran, DE Hall Davis, RB Herb Donaldson, TE Riar Geer, TE Cameron Graham, OL Thomas Gray, DE Julian Hartsell, RB Stafon Johnson, WR James Kirkendoll, CB Lequan Lewis, OL Pat McQuistan, RB Kestahn Moore, WR Michael Preston, S Myron Rolle, FB Joe Tronzo.

The Buccaneers added more quality talent to their defense in the NFL draft, selecting Alabama strong safety Mark Barron with their first pick. They backed him up with Nebraska linebacker Lavonte David, West Virginia linebacker Najee Goode and West Virginia cornerback Keith Tandy. And in the days following the draft it was learned that the Bucs are likely to move Ronde Barber to safety.

The Bucs, along with most of the NFL, made their final cuts on Saturday before the deadline. Among the casualties were RB Armando Allen Jr., S Ahmad Black, QB Rudy Carpenter, QB Jonathan Crompton, WR Ed Gant, TE Daniel Hardy, S Dominique Harris, LB Brandon Heath, LB Simoni Lawrence, RB Mossis Madu, DE Alex Magee, TE Nathan Overbay, WR Maurice Price (Injury Settlement), TE Ryan Purvis, FB/LB Nick Reveiz, K Jacob Rogers, LB Derrell Smith and DT Al Woods.

The Houston Texans released veteran linebacker Rosevelt Colvin and 20 other players Friday, the day before NFL teams must set their 53-man rosters. Also released Friday was veteran safety Glenn Earl, who started 15 games in 2006 but missed all of last season with a fractured foot, and defensive tackle Anthony Maddox, who spent the last two seasons with the team. Other players released were fullback Jon Abbate, quarterbacks Shane Boyd and Alex Brink, linebackers Kevis Coley and Ben Moffitt, center Greg Eslinger, cornerbacks Jamar Fletcher, Derrick Roberson and Dexter Wynn, receivers Darnell Jenkins, LeRon McCoy and Mark Simmons, tight end Ryan Krause, defensive linemen Gabe Long and Jesse Nading, running back Marcel Shipp and tackle Torrin Tucker.

The Bucs announced Monday that they signed 2010 draft pick CB Myron Lewis to a four-year contract. Lewis, the Bucs third-round selection (67th overall) out of Vanderbilt, is expected to battle for a spot along the depth chart this summer in training camp.

The St. Petersburg Times reports that Tampa Bay DL Roy Miller will likely miss the rest of the preseason with a partial tear of his MCL. This injury should not require surgery, but Miller may not be available for Week 1 of the regular season.

The Indianapolis Star reports the Colts have finalized their roster down to 53 players Saturday. Among the cuts were RB Chad Simpson, WRs Devin Aromashodu, Onrea Jones and Sam Giguere, DLs Joe Bradley, Jeff Charleston, Dan Davis, Colin Ferrell and Ben Ishola, DBs Brannon Condren and Brandon Foster, TE Tyrice Thompson and LBs Victor Worsley and Kyle Shotwell.

Bucs DB E.J. Biggers (shoulder) has been ruled out for Week 2 at Buffalo. Biggers, who did not practice all week, also missed Week 1 against the Cowboys.

Speculation from the Tampa Bay Times is that the Buccaneers will move linebacker Mason Foster outside in 2012. Foster manned the middle in 2011, totaling 84 tackles with a forced fumble, two sacks, two passes defensed and an interception. "I can't speak to that yet until we first of all address free agency and the draft and look at our overall package," new defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan said recently. "But I will say this, to give you a roundabout answer: He's a linebacker. And, to me, if you're a good linebacker, you should be able to play (strong-side) or (middle) or (weak-side). You're off the ball in a two-point stance, you have very similar key progressions and very similar coverage responsibilities. I'm not caught up on pigeonholing guys into positions. You're a linebacker. And he definitely has NFL talent."

Buccaneers DL Brian Price was carted off the field in the second quarter of a Week 12 loss to the Titans with an ankle injury. Price was done for the game, as he walked out of the stadium on crutches. He made two tackles before exiting.

The Buccaneers selected Utah State running back Michael Smith in the seventh round of the NFL draft. The 5-foot-9, 207 pound rusher has a timed speed under 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash.

Notable Vikings players let go on Saturday include: TE Jeff Dugan, LB Heath Farwell, DE Stylez G. White, DE David Akinniyi, WR Emmanuel Arceneaux, FB Matt Asiata, WR Stephen Burton, DB Tony Carter, RB Tristan Davis, FB Ryan D'Imperio, LB David Herron, DB Ryan Hill, LB Ross Homan, WR Juaquin Iglesias, WR Jaymar Johnson, DT Tremaine Johnson, RB Caleb King, DE Cedric McKinley, DB Cord Parks, RB Alexander Robinson and DB Devon Torrence.

The Buccaneers announced Thursday that they have signed kicker Connor Barth, the team's franchise player, to a four-year contract. "For the Bucs organization, [General Manager] Mark Dominik, Coach [Greg] Schiano and everyone to believe in me, to know that I'll be their kicker for the next four years, is awesome," said Barth. "It's just an amazing opportunity and I want to continue to perform like I have and live up to their expectations. I want to thank everyone - the fans, everybody, the team behind me - and I'm looking forward to getting back on the field." Barth is coming off his best season, finishing second in the NFL with a 92.9 field goal percentage (26-of-28), which also marked the best single-season field goal percentage in Buccaneers history. He ended the year making 15 consecutive field goals, the longest active streak in the NFL.

Bucs general manager Mark Dominik said in a post-draft interview that the team is leaning toward moving Ronde Barber to safety. Barber signed a one-year deal in late March, meaning that he'll play for the Bucs for the 16th straight year.

The Bengals were active on the waiver wire Sunday. Along with KR/WR Brandon Tate, they picked up TE Mickey Shuler, a rookie out of Penn State (Dolphins), and G Mike McGlynn out of Pittsburgh (Eagles). Cincinnati released TE Chase Coffman, WR/PR Quan Cosby and C Reggie Stephens.

The Texans released QB Alex Brink, LB Khary Campbell, LB Buster Davis, FB Jonathan Evans, RB Arian Foster, TE Clark Harris, FS Brandon Harrison, DE Tim Jamison, WR Darnell Jenkins, DT Josh Leonard, DE Jesse Nading, CB Deltha O'Neal, CB Mark Parson, CB Matterral Richardson and WR Mark Simmons on Saturday.

LB Jacob Cutrera, who was last with the Jaguars, signed with the Buccaneers on Tuesday.

The Buccaneers announced some tough news Thursday after defensive end Da'Quan Bowers suffered a torn Achilles tendon while participating in the club's offseason program. He's expected to miss the entire 2012 season. This news comes on the same day that the Bucs are believed to be moving Ronde Barber to safety from cornerback. Michael Bennett figures to see an increase in playing time with Bowers out.

Bucs Rookie FB Erik Lorig, who has also practiced at tight end and defensive end, could see more playing time at fullback in the Week 9 game at Atlanta because starting FB Earnest Graham has been nursing a sore hamstring. "Great to have (Lorig's) versatility," coach Raheem Morris said.

LB Adam Hayward, a five-year veteran, signed a three-year deal, the team announced Monday. Hayward, who can play all three linebacking positions, is the fourth significant free agent to re-sign.

Tampa Bay DL Adrian Clayborn got to Dallas QB Tony Romo in Saturday's game giving him 7 1/2 sacks on the season. He finished the game with four tackles, two solo, in the 31-15 loss.

The Tampa Bay Times reports that Bucs general manager said Tuesday that rookie running back Doug Martin has a slight hamstring strain. He did not practice with the team during OTA workouts.

Hamstring - Probable for start of 2012 training camp

The Tampa Bay Times reports that wide receiver Tiquan Underwood has agreed to terms with the Buccaneers, reuniting with Greg Schiano, who coached him at Rutgers.

The Bucs promoted safety Ahmad Black to the active roster on Friday after placing DL Tim Crowder (head) on injured reserve.

When Buccaneers coach Raheem Morris was an assistant at Kansas State, he recruited recently acquired S Larry Asante, but Asante ended up at Nebraska. "I was going to make him the Derrick Brooks of college football and move him to (weakside) linebacker," Morris said, grinning.

The following Buccaneers players did not record any statistics in Week 6 vs. Carolina: WR Dexter Jackson, LS Andrew Economos and WR Maurice Stovall.

The Tampa Bay Times reports that Bucs receiver Mike Williams knows he has to improve on his disappointing season in 2011. "It wasn't good enough," Williams said. "Everybody asks me how I assess myself from last year, it just wasn't good enough.'' Williams is coming off a horrible second season (771 yards, three touchdowns) after a big rookie year (964 yards, 11 touchdowns). He said the addition of Chargers free agent receiver Vincent Jackson will benefit him and the team. "Who can you double now?'' Williams asked.

The Panthers placed WR Wallace Wright on the IR Tuesday with a shoulder injury.

The Bucs placed DL John McCargo on IR on Tuesday and promoted Frank Okam from the practice squad to take his roster spot.

The Buccaneers officially placed S Cody Grimm on injured reserve Tuesday due to a knee injury. Grimm was carted off the field during Sunday's game against Atlanta after suffering an ACL injury.

Knee - IR. Out for the season

Buccaneers general manager Mark Dominik told NFL Network that quarterback Josh Freeman has trimmed 20 pounds off his frame this offseason. The weight loss was done to become more mobile and bounce back following a major regression in 2012. Freeman passed for 3,592 yards, 16 touchdowns and 22 interceptions last year. He did add 238 yards on the ground and the first four rush scores of his career. "You've seen a guy who's completely committed to getting his season back on track and hitting the reset button and getting his game back to hopefully to more of what we saw in 2010 as a young 22-year-old," Dominik said. "The last couple years, he's been playing around 255-260 (pounds). Right now, he's sitting downstairs (at the team facility) weighing about 235-238. He's getting his body right, working on getting more mobility and better conditioned and buying in, heart and soul, to how and what (the newly hired) Mike Sullivan is and wants to be as offensive coordinator."

The Jaguars released three players on Monday: QB Todd Bouman, WR Greg Ellingson and LB Gerris Wilkinson.

The Bucs signed DL Daniel Te'o-Nesheim off the Eagles practice squad on Tuesday. To make room on the roster, Tampa Bay released Franklin Okam.

The Buccaneers added depth to their secondary in the NFL draft with the selections Florida safety Ahmad Black (Round 5) and FIU CB Anthony Gaitor (Round 7).

Wide receiver Vincent Jackson signed a five-year deal with Tampa Bay on Tuesday worth $55.55 million including $36 million in guaranteed money over the first three seasons. The 29-year-old receiver gives the Bucs another big-bodied threat to go in an offense led by Josh Freeman, who averaged just 6.52 yards per attempt in 2011. Jackson caught 60 passes for 1,106 yards and nine touchdowns for the Chargers last season and averaged 1,123 yards and 8.3 touchdowns in 2008, 2009 and 2011 (he was a holdout in 2010).

Rams DT Gary Gibson picked up a sack on Monday Night Football Week 14. Gibson took down Seattle's Tarvaris Jackson, despite the Seahawks taking down the Rams 30-13 in the game. Gibson finished with four tackles and two of them were solo.

Buccaneers TE Luke Stocker was activated for Week 7 against the Bears in London after being listed as questionable on the injury report with a knee injury. He finished the game with two catches for 14 yards.

Pewter Report reports that wide receiver Arrelious Benn worked with the third-team offense during the Bucs' OTAs on Tuesday.

The Panthers have placed DL Hilee Taylor on IR. He is out for the season.

Wide receiver Preston Parker, who signed with the Bucs in 2010 as an undrafted free agent, has signed a one-year extension. Parker ranked fourth on the team last season with 40 receptions, but tied for 11th the league with 20 receptions on third down.

Tight end Dallas Clark signed a one-year deal with the Buccaneers late Monday, effectively replacing Kellen Winslow as the team's starter. Clark, 33, played in a total of 17 games the last two seasons with 71 receptions. Each season, he was placed on injured reserve; in 2010 he had a season-ending wrist injury and a pinched nerve and broken fibula cost him time last season. Clark says his body is holding up well. "It's not slowing me down," he said Tuesday. "I don't feel I've been hampered with anything. I feel like I can come out and perform well every day."

The Buccaneers made Mark Barron their first-round pick, taking him with the seventh overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. Barron was the on-field quarterback for Alabama's complex and devastating defense. After the snap, he became an enforcer whose physical play was a reason Alabama's defense was No. 1 in the nation. He was especially responsible for preventing the big play, which he did well enough to be named first team All-American in 2011. Last year Barron made 63 total tackles with a sack, two interceptions and four passes defensed in 13 games.

Tampa Bay LB Quincy Black had six tackles, including two for a loss, during the Buccaneers' 41-14 loss to Jacksonville in Week 14. Black surpassed five tackles for only the fourth time this season and reached 50 total tackles.

After missing the previous two games due to injury, Buccaneers WR Sammie Stroughter returned in Week 16 against the Panthers. He caught four passes for 52 yards in the 48-16 loss. Stroughter also returned four kicks for 80 yards but lost a fumble on one of the returns.

The Buccaneers signed DT John McCargo to replace DL E.J. Wilson, who was placed on Injured Reserve on Monday. "I will not make the same mistakes I made in Buffalo," McCargo said. "I'm making the most of this chance."

Achilles - IR. Out for the season

The Tampa Bay Times reports that Bucs coach Greg Schiano said Tuesday it's too early to know how the team will split carries between running backs LeGarrette Blount and Doug Martin, who was drafted in the first round. Blount said he is looking forward to the challenge. "Them drafting a running back might be what I needed to become an every down back," said Blount, who added he lost at least five pounds this offseason. Blount says he's proving more and more everyday he can play every down. "I've been showing I can be an every down back," he said. Blount says he still sees himself as the No. 1 back. "Yeah, until they take it away," he said. "But at the end of the day, we're both going to play. But don't nobody affect my carries but me. Not what he does. ... Nobody can affect my carries but me. They drafted (Martin) because we needed him. I can't carry the load by myself."

Kicker Kai Forbath was released Tuesday by the Cowboys. The former UCLA kicker, who joined the club in training camp last year, spent all season on active NFI (non-football injury) with a quad injury. The release of Forbath along with the March release of David Buehler leaves Dan Bailey as the only kicker on the roster.

The Buccaneers added more quality talent to their defense in the NFL draft, selecting Alabama strong safety Mark Barron with their first pick. They backed him up with Nebraska linebacker Lavonte David, West Virginia linebacker Najee Goode and West Virginia cornerback Keith Tandy. And in the days following the draft it was learned that the Bucs are likely to move Ronde Barber to safety.

The Bears finished off their cuts on the way to getting down to the final 53 players on the active roster on Saturday. Among the casualties were RB Harvey Unga, LB J.T. Thomas, S Anthony Walters, LB Patrick Trahan, TE Andre Smith DT Jordan Miller, FB Robert Hughes, WR Kris Adams and DT Marcus Harrison.

Buccaneers RB Mossis Madu had his most productive game of the season in Week 16 against the Panthers. He gained 20 yards on four carries and caught four passes for 42 yards in the 48-16 loss. Madu finished second on Tampa Bay in rushing behind Kregg Lumpkin (24 yards).

Falcons punter Michael Koenen missed two long field goals at the Titans in Week 5.

Former Detroit cornerback Eric Wright has been signed to a five-year deal by the Buccaneers. Wright, 26, started every game in his first season with the Lions last year, recording 74 tackles and tying a career-high with four interceptions.

The Titans waived nine players on Monday in order to reach Tuesday's 80-player roster limit. The players released were: LB Jonathan Cornell, P Chad Cunningham, DL Jovan Haye, FB Patrick Hill, LB Kevin Malast, QB Brett Ratliff, DB Nick Schommer, WR Owen Spencer and LS John Stokes.

The Buccaneers announced Thursday that they have signed free agent quarterback Dan Orlovsky to a two-year contract. Orlovsky spent the 2011 season with the Colts, leading the team to two wins after appearing in eight games and starting five. He completed 122 of 193 pass attempts (63.2 percent) on the year for 1,201 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions for an 82.4 quarterback rating. He is expected to be the No. 2 quarterback in Tampa Bay behind starter Josh Freeman.

Attendance at the first two days of Buccaneers voluntary minicamp has been good -- with one surprising absentee: second-year WR Dezmon Briscoe. He is rumored to be having some "personal issues." Briscoe led the Bucs in receiving scores with six on 35 catches for 387 yards (11.1 avg.).

Tampa Bay LB Dekoda Watson recorded four solo tackles in Saturday's game versus Dallas. His biggest contribution though was picking up a Tony Romo fumble and returning it for a touchdown, ending his team's scoring drought. Despite his efforts the Buccaneers ended up losing the game, 31-15.

The first transaction of the Greg Schiano era in Tampa Bay involves a big player but isn't a big surprise. Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth was released. "I appreciate Albert playing for us after some key injuries this past season," said GM Mark Dominik. "He was very professional and we now wish him all the best as he moves forward."

Tampa Bay DL Gerald McCoy, out for the season with a biceps injury, will have surgery on Wednesday to repair the torn right biceps tendon, reports the Tampa Tribune Tuesday. McCoy tore the tendon tackling Chris Ivory in the first quarter of the Week 9 loss at New Orleans. "I'm not down," McCoy said during his weekly radio show on WDAE 620 AM on Tuesday. "Everybody expects me to be sad. I'm not sad. I'm loving life. Things could be a lot worse."

Biceps - IR. Out for the season

The Cowboys made their final cuts on Saturday in order to get down to the league-mandated 53 players, and there were some notable subtractions. Among the players released were FBs Chris Gronkowski, Jason Pociask Shaun Chapas and Isaiah Greenhouse; WRs Tysson Poots, Manuel Johnson, Lyle Leong and Teddy Williams; DBs Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, Mario Butler, Chris Randle, Andrew Sendejo, Josh Thomas and Collin Zych; LBs Mike Balogun, Kenwin Cummings, Orie Lemon, and Brandon Williams; DE Jimmy Saddler-McQueen and RB Lonyae Miller.

Tampa Bay DL George Johnson was placed on season-ending injured reserve Monday with a knee injury. Johnson left during the Buccaneers' loss to Houston in Week 10 and did not return. Johnson was signed by the team in early October.

Knee - IR. Out for the season

To make room for LB Zac Diles and TE Zack Pianalto, who were signed Monday, the Bucs released CB Dominique "D.J.'' Johnson and DL George Johnson . Both Johnsons played well during the preseason and could be re-signed to the practice squad.

The Browns signed DB Derrick Roberson on Tuesday. Roberson was among the Bucs cuts over the weekend as every team got down to a 53-man roster.

The Buccaneers added more quality talent to their defense in the NFL draft, selecting Alabama strong safety Mark Barron with their first pick. They backed him up with Nebraska linebacker Lavonte David, West Virginia linebacker Najee Goode and West Virginia cornerback Keith Tandy. And in the days following the draft it was learned that the Bucs are likely to move Ronde Barber to safety.

In a roster move that indicates injured DT Gerald McCoy (ankle) is doubtful for Sunday, the Buccaneers cut TE Collin Franklin and signed DE George Johnson, who stood out during the preseason with a team-high three sacks.