The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced on Tuesday that the team has promoted offensive lineman Josh Allen and cornerback Javien Elliot from the practice squad to the active roster and placed offensive lineman Ben Gottschalk on Injured Reserve.
Allen (6-3, 315) spent this past offseason and preseason with Tampa Bay and has been on the team’s practice squad all season. A native of Dallas, Allen played collegiately at Louisiana-Monroe and entered the league as a college free agent with the Buccaneers in 2014. In his NFL career, he has played in three games, all with Tampa Bay during the 2014 season. He wears No. 61 for the Buccaneers.
Elliott (5-11, 176) joined Tampa Bay this past offseason as a college free agent out of Florida State. The Panama City, Florida native spent the offseason and preseason with Tampa Bay and has been on the team’s practice squad all year. He wears No. 35 for Tampa Bay.
The team also announced that offensive lineman Mike Liedtke (pronounced LID-kee), cornerback Cody Riggs and wide receiver Myles White have been signed to the practice squad. Running back Russell Hansbrough has been released from the practice squad.
Liedtke (6-3, 305) originally entered the league as a college free agent with the Miami Dolphins in 2015. The Woodstock, Illinois native spent the 2015 season between the Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad. This offseason, Liedtke, who played collegiately at Illinois State, spent time with the New York Jets. He has also spent time on the Cleveland Browns’ practice squad. He will wear No. 65 for Tampa Bay.
Riggs (5-9, 187) comes to Tampa Bay from the Tennessee Titans, having spent time on the team’s active roster over the past two seasons, appearing in 14 games, totaling seven tackles, two passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery, along with seven special teams tackles. The Fort Lauderdale, Florida native played collegiately at Notre Dame and originally entered the NFL as a college free agent with Tennessee in 2015. He will wear No. 27 for the Buccaneers.
White (6-0, 190) is in his third season, having played in 19 career games, catching 16 passes for 154 yards and one touchdown. A native of Livonia, Michigan, White was with the Green Bay Packers in 2013-14, spending time on the active roster and practice squad. After spending the 2015 offseason with Green Bay, White was signed to the New York Giants’ practice squad before being elevated to the active roster and playing in 12 games. White, who played collegiately at Louisiana Tech, has spent time on the New York Jets’ practice squad this season. He will wear No. 80 for Tampa Bay.
–Press release courtesy of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers