The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed linebacker Caden Fordham to their practice squad Monday, Sept. 7, after waiving him from the initial 53-man roster. Fordham initially made the 53-man roster on Aug. 30, but Tampa Bay waived him the following Monday after claiming cornerback Kevin Knowles off waivers.
Fordham returns to a 17-man practice squad that also includes first-year cornerback Roman Parodie. The Buccaneers previously waived Parodie to make room for Fordham on the practice squad.
Fordham delivered in preseason
Fordham played in all three preseason games for Tampa Bay and recorded 10 tackles, two tackles for loss and one pass defensed on defense. He also made four solo tackles in kick coverage, which led all NFL players during the preseason.
The linebacker signed with the Buccaneers in May after ranking second in the nation with 143 tackles during his final season at N.C. State. Fordham earned third-team Associated Press All-America honors after recording 3.5 sacks, 10.0 tackles for loss, two interceptions, three passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Practice squad provides elevation option
Fordham can still be available to Tampa Bay on game day despite moving off the active roster. Practice squad players can be elevated to the active roster three times during the regular season and then return to the practice squad without going through waivers.
The Buccaneers had four off-ball linebackers on the active roster when Fordham returned. Christian Rozeboom was not practicing that week because of a leg injury, while SirVocea Dennis had recently returned to practice after missing time because of an injury.
Parodie also returns to practice squad
Parodie signed with Tampa Bay on Aug. 10 and played in all three preseason games. He recorded eight tackles, one interception and two passes defensed.
The Buccaneers waived Parodie during the league-wide roster cutdowns Sunday and signed him to the practice squad Monday. The move created room for Fordham while keeping Parodie with the team.
FSB Take
Fordham gives the Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice squad a linebacker who produced on defense and special teams during the preseason. His four solo tackles in kick coverage led all NFL players in that category.
His practice squad status also leaves Tampa Bay with a game-day elevation option while the team monitors its linebacker group. The Buccaneers can elevate Fordham three times during the regular season before he would return to the practice squad without going through waivers.
Source: Original report