Bucs Sign DT, ILB Prior To Week 18

The Bucs made a couple of roster moves on Tuesday before the end of the year – but not the end of the 2024 season. Tampa Bay signed defensive tackle Earnest Brown IV and rookie inside linebacker Antonio Grier Jr. to the practice squad.

Both were released last week in a flurry of moves that the team made in activating strong safety Jordan Whitehead and wide receiver off injured reserve, and signing punter Jack Browning and outside linebacker Shaq Barrett to the active roster.

The Bucs also placed rookie outside linebacker Daniel Grzesiak on the practice squad injured list.

Bucs Bring Back 2 Familar Faces On Defense

Bucs DT Earnest Brown IV – Photo by: Cliff Welch P/R

The fact that Tampa Bay re-signed both defensive tackle Earnest Brown IV and Antonio Grier Jr. is not a surprise. Both have been with the team since training camp and have bounced back and forth between the practice squad and the active roster.

Brown (6-5, 300) was signed by the Bucs on May 22  and made Tampa Bay’s initial 53-man roster out of training camp. He has appeared in three games for Tampa Bay this season, appearing in a reserve capacity on defense.

Brown originally entered the league as a fifth-round selection (No. 174 overall) by the Los Angeles Rams in the 2021 NFL Draft and remained with the Rams through the 2023 season, splitting time between the practice squad and active roster during that span. He has played in 15 career games, including three starts, recording 14 tackles (one for loss). The Aubrey, Texas, native played collegiately at Northwestern (2017-20).

Grier (6-1, 230) originally entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the Bucs on May 10, and split time this season between Tampa Bay’s practice squad and active roster. He appeared in Weeks 5-8 and Weeks 14-16 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).