Tampa Bay Buccaneers Bring Back Defensive Lineman

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers re-signed a long tenured member of it's defensive line.

After standing pat at the trade deadline on Tuesday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers made the signing of quarterback John Wolford to the active roster official. To make the move the team needed to release a player, which turned out to be defensive tackle Pat O’Connor.

After passing through waivers the team announced that O’Connor has rejoined the team on the practice squad, filling the vacant spot from Wolford’s call-up. O’Connor has seen action in three games for the Bucs this season logging his snaps primarily on special teams. 

After a call-up Week 2 against the Bears, he was signed to the active roster. He played in the next two games but was a healthy scratch the past three weeks.

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After being drafted in the seventh round by the Lions in 2017, O'Connor joined the Bucs practice squad in October of that year. He was called up late in the season playing in the final three games mostly on special teams. In 2018, the veteran defensive lineman was signed to the practice squad and didn't see game action until the following season.  

The 2020 season is where O'Connor really started to make his mark including notching his first career sack. Over the next three seasons, he cemented his role as a core special teamer and saw his snaps increase steadily on defense as a rotational player.

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O'Connor showed up in great shape to camp and was a steady presence in a rotational role for the Bucs this preseason, but he was beaten out for the final defensive lineman spot on the roster by second-year player Mike Greene. However, he signed onto the practice squad after passing through waivers.

With the Bucs dealing with injuries at defensive tackle with Logan Hall nursing a groin injury, O'Connor could be elevated for their matchup against the Texans. 

You can follow JC Allen on Twitter @JCAllenNFL.

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