The Bucs took a gamble when they waived defensive tackle Khalil Davis to promote cornerback Pierre Desir to the active roster. That gamble didn’t pay off. The 2020 sixth round pick was claimed off waivers by the Indianapolis Colts on Monday.

The Bucs were hoping to get Davis back on the practice squad if he cleared waivers. A rash of injuries in the secondary led to a difficult decision for the team. Davis had shown promise throughout the preseason, and possesses a rare blend of size and speed. He played in two regular season games in 2020, logging two total tackles. Davis also saw action in two postseason contests for the Bucs as well.

Davis was inactive throughout the first three games of this season. Last year, Davis played 37 defensive snaps and four on special teams. The speedy defensive tackle recorded two tackles and two pressures on those reps. With the Bucs currently rostering two of the oldest defensive tackles in the NFL, there was a thought that Davis could be part of Tampa Bay’s future plans at the position.

The Bucs face an offseason in which Ndamukong Suh, Will Gholston and Steve McLendon are all slated to be free agents. Outside of Vita Vea, the team desperately lacks young interior defensive line talent. Davis could have been a nice developmental piece, but now the Bucs will watch him develop in Indianapolis.