Danny Vitale, the Bucs’ sixth-round draft choice in May, will join his third team in six months as the Cleveland Browns have signed the former Northwestern tight end off Tampa Bay’s practice squad.
Previously, Vitale signed onto Buffalo’s practice squad after the Bucs released him in favor of Alan Cross after training camp. The Bills subsequently waived Vitale (citing a shoulder injury), allowing the Bucs to bring him back. He spent his first five weeks of the season on the practice squad.
The loss leaves the Bucs with six players on their 10-man practice squad, as linebacker Cameron Lynch and running back Russell Hansbrough were promoted to the 53-man roster last weekend while linebacker Josh Keyes was released Tuesday.
According to Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times, the Bucs worked out 11 players on Wednesday but held off signing any in the middle of their bye week. Players don’t return to the facility until Monday, anyway, though two of those players – cornerback Chris McCain and Robertson Daniel – have signed with the Saints’ and Ravens’ practice squad, respectively.
Vitale is the Bucs’ only 2016 draft pick to not be with the team anymore.