Bucs Sign Linebacker, Elevate 2 Players From Practice Squad

On Saturday the Bucs signed linebacker Antonio Grier Jr. to the active roster from the practice squad. Additionally, Tampa Bay has elevated punter Jack Browning and cornerback Dallis Flowers from the practice squad to the game day roster for the Week 14 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. It marks the first elevation of the season for both players.

Grier was signed to the active roster because both starter K.J. Britt and backup J.J. Russell have been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Raiders. Vi Jones, a former practice squad linebacker is expected to start next to Lavonte David in Week 14 with Grier as Tampa Bay’s lone backup insider linebacker.

Because the team downgraded reserve cornerback Josh Hayes to out due to a hamstring injury he suffered on Friday, Flowers was elevated to take his place on special teams. Reserve cornerback Troy Hill is also out due to a foot injury.

As expected the Bucs elevated Browning to serve as the team’s punter after releasing Trenton Gill following his poor performance last Sunday in the 26-23 overtime win at Carolina. Browning has never punted or played in any NFL game – preseason or regular – and will be making his professional debut on Sunday.

Browing and Flowers will have two more elevations before they’ll need to signed to the active roster to play any more than that.

Details On The Bucs’ Signing And Activations

Bucs ILB Antonio Grier Jr. – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Antonio Grier Jr. (6-1, 230) originally entered the league as a college free agent with the Bucs on May 10, 2024, and spent this season splitting time between Tampa Bay’s practice squad and active roster. He appeared in Weeks 5-8 for Tampa Bay, playing special teams and recording one special teams tackle.

The Atlanta native played collegiately at the University of South Florida (2018-22) and the University of Arkansas (2023), appearing in a total of 58 career games and amassing 274 tackles (25.0 for loss), 10.0 sacks, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and three interceptions (two returned for touchdown). He wears No. 48 for Tampa Bay.

Browning (5-11, 190) entered the league as a college free agent with the Buffalo Bills in 2024, spending time this past offseason with the Bills and Baltimore Ravens before joining Tampa Bay’s practice squad on October 23. He began his collegiate career at Grossmont College (2019-20) prior to playing three seasons at San Diego State (2021-23).

New Bucs P Jack Browning – Photo by: USA Today

He handled both punting and kicking duties in his final two seasons and earned All-Mountain West honors twice, in addition to being named the 2022 Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Year. In 38 games for the Aztecs, Browning punted 122 times for 5,584 yards (45.8 average), while connecting on 35-of-47 field goal attempts (74.5%) and all 53 of his extra point attempts. The Lakeside, California, native wears No. 5 for Tampa Bay.

Flowers (6-1, 196) originally entered the league as a college free agent with the Indianapolis Colts in April 2022 and remained with Indianapolis until he was waived on October 7, 2024. He then signed to the Bucs practice squad on October 16. Flowers has appeared in 21 career games with the Colts, making five starts and totaling 32 tackles (two for loss), three passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

The Chicago native played collegiately at Pittsburg State (2021), Grand View University (2019-20) and Robert Morris University (2018). During his final collegiate season at Pittsburg State, Flowers started 9-of-11 games and logged 21 tackles (1.5 for loss), 10 passes defensed and four interceptions while adding 17 kick returns for 573 yards and two touchdowns. He wears No. 28 for Tampa Bay.