The Bucs have misplaced one other offensive lineman for the 12 months because of harm. Silas Dzansi, who was coming into his second season in Tampa Bay after spending final 12 months on the observe squad, injured his knee throughout 11-on-11 drills on Saturday’s observe. The staff positioned him on injured reserve on Thursday as Tampa Bay finalizes preparation for its 2024 preseason opener at Cincinnati towards the Bengals on Saturday evening.
Dzansi, who signed with the Bucs final 12 months as an undrafted free agent out of Virginia Tech, had made noticeable enchancment this offseason and was vying for one of many reserve offensive line roles in coaching camp. The previous Hokies star performed left sort out in school however had proven the flexibility to play each left and proper sort out on the NFL stage in observe.
The Bucs misplaced guard Sua Opeta for the 12 months to a torn ACL harm the primary week of coaching camp. Opeta, who got here to Tampa Bay by means of Philadelphia this offseason in free company, was competing with fellow newcomer Ben Bredeson for the appropriate to begin at left guard. Bredeson had been profitable that competitors, however the Bucs have been hoping Sua would enhance the extent of competitors within the preseason.
Bucs Signal Guard Ryan Johnson
Bucs OT Silas Dzansi and OLB Anthony Nelson – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
The Bucs had been giving Brandon Walton some reps at guard over the previous week with the season-ending harm to Sua Opeta. Walton, who’s primarily a reserve proper sort out with the pliability to kick inside to protect, will likely be used primarily at sort out now that Silas Dzansi has been positioned on injured reserve. To minimize Walton’s burden enjoying guard the Bucs have signed Ryan Johnson to take Dzansi’s roster spot.
The 6-foot-2, 306 pound Johnson initially entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the New England Patriots on Might 13, 2024, earlier than being launched on June 17, 2024. Johnson performed collegiately at Duquesne College (2019-20) and Youngstown State College (2021-23), the place he appeared in 32 profession contests.
In his ultimate collegiate season in 2023, he began 10 video games for the Penguins and helped working again Jaleel McLaughlin declare MVFC Offensive Participant of the Yr honors with a mean of 144.4 speeding yards per recreation. Johnson will put on No. 65 for Tampa Bay and gained’t play within the Bucs’ preseason opener in Cincinnati. As an alternative he’ll probably make his debut in Monday’s observe.
