On Tuesday, the Bucs announced they have released wide receiver John Hurst from the practice squad. In his place, the team has added punter Sterling Hofrichter to the practice squad. Regular punter Bradley Pinion has struggled of late, hitting several dismal punts in recent games. Adding Hofrichter should create some pressure on Pinion if he continues to struggle.

Pinion is in the midst of an inconsistent season punting the football. His Pro Football Focus grade is the lowest it has been since the 2016 season, Pinion’s second in the league. He was with the 49ers then, but has been one of the better punters in the league since landing in Tampa Bay in 2019. Pinion is also an elite kickoff specialist, sending almost every boot out of the end zone for a touchback.

Hofrichter was a seventh round pick of the Falcons in 2020. The Syracuse product played in every game for the Falcons last season, posting an impressive 70.2 punting grade for PFF. Hofrichter did not typically handle kickoff duties, so the Bucs will have to see if that is in his wheelhouse. He did kickoff 22 times for Atlanta last season, including in their Week 17 matchup against the Bucs. Hofrichter was waived/injured from the Falcons at the beginning of training camp.