Pewter Report has reported that the Bucs have claimed cornerback Kevin Knowles off of waivers from the Chiefs. In a corresponding move, Fox Sports’ Greg Auman has reported that the team has waived rookie undrafted free agent inside linebacker, Caden Fordham.

Football History Of New Bucs CB Kevin Knowles

Knowles is a Florida native growing up in Hollywood, Florida. He played his college football at Florida State where he played in 50 games, recording 113 combined tackles, one interception and a sack. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Chiefs in 2025, playing going on their practice squad at first and then being signed to the active roster in October.

He played in 13 games that season, primarily on special teams and a little on defense. He played 272 snaps on special teams and 82 snaps on the defensive side, recording 20 tackles, two pass breakups and one fumble recovery in 13 games. Knowles was cut by the Chiefs this training camp, opening up an opportunity to for the Bucs to claim him. Tampa Bay and Kansas City have been swapping players lately on waivers as the Chiefs took outside linebacker Jack Pyburn and now the Bucs added Knowles to the active roster.

Bucs CB Kevin Knowles – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

Knowles comes to Tampa with a primary role to contribute on special teams. That unit has been a work in progress this training camp. Even with new special teams coordinator Danny Smith with the team, the Bucs have struggled in that area. This included allowing a punt return for a touchdown in their preseason finale against Jacksonville.

With cornerback Josh Hayes on injured reserve, this opens up an opportunity for Knowles to be a top special teams player on this team, primarily at gunner. He also becomes the sixth cornerback in that room, joining Zyon McCollum, Jacob Parrish, Benjamin Morrison and rookies Keionte Scott and Ayden Garnes.

Caden Fordham Gets Waived After Being Great Camp Story

The other side of this move comes as a tough one as Fordham was a fun story in training camp for making the 53-man roster. An undrafted free agent out of NC State, Fordham was a long shot to make this team out of camp. But Fordham continued to make plays in practice and looked good in the preseason games. He even made three tackles on special teams in the last preseason game, further helping his case.

It became a numbers game, though, for the Bucs. After spending one day on the active roster, the Bucs have waived him. Tampa Bay has Alex Anzalone, Josiah Trotter, Christian Rozeboom and SirVocea Dennis at inside linebacker, putting Fordham as last on the depth chart and a little more expendable.

Bucs ILB Caden Fordham – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

There’s still a chance that the Bucs may try to add Fordham onto the practice squad if he clears waivers. The team has been busy adjusting that group already as they released tight end Devin Culp in favor of new tight end C.J. Dippre. If they were to bring back Fordham, they would likely release inside linebacker Javin Wright, putting Fordham in there since they play the position.

Tampa Bay saw some injuries in camp with SirVocea Dennis missing time along with Christian Rozeboom. Dennis did return to practice on Tuesday, but Rozeboom still remains out. If Rozeboom can’t return next week, Fordham would be the linebacker that would get a practice squad elevation.

The Bucs still have 12 days before their regular season begins on the road against Cincinnati. It wouldn’t be surprise if more moves come about in the coming days leading up to the first game.