The Bucs are elevating two new players for their Week 4 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. The common elevation for the first three weeks of the season was safety Ifeatu Melifonwu, but the team signed him to the active roster this week because he was out of elevations.

This week in the wake of Baker Mayfield’s thumb injury, they are promoting quarterback Easton Stick for the game.

Tampa Bay is also elevating linebacker Caden Fordham.

Easton Stick Will Serve As Bucs’ Backup To Jalon Daniels

Easton Stick hasn’t been with the Bucs for long. The team signed him to the practice squad after the close of the preseason after they cut Jake Browning. The team wanted Browning back on their practice squad, but he refused. Stick has experience working with Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Zac Robinson’s system, playing on the Falcons’ practice squad last year.

Stick is a former fifth-round pick for the Chargers in 2019. He will serve as rookie Jalon Daniels’ backup for the game. Stick has limited experience, started four games and played in two additional ones over the last 7+ years.

Bucs QB Easton Stick – IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Bucs signed veteran quarterback Brett Rypien to their practice squad earlier this week to provide additional depth at the position while Mayfield recovers. He cannot play on Sunday as the team’s emergency third-string quarterback. The rule governing that role requires him to be on the active roster.

Caden Fordham Elevated Due To SirVocea Dennis’ Injury

The Bucs are going to be without two players who have combined for almost 100 special teams snaps. Ko Kieft and Benjamin Morrison have both been ruled out for the game as noted on the team’s Friday injury report. And the Bucs could also be without linebacker SirVocea Dennis, who is listed as questionable.

The Bucs have elevated linebacker Caden Fordham who could fill in for Kieft on various teams’ units including kick return, kick coverage, punt return, punt coverage and field goal. Fordham, a rookie undrafted free agent out of North Carolina State, played on almost all of those units in preseason.

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

Dennis is on the injury report, although he hasn’t been ruled out. He is one of three players with questionable designations, joining defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Noches and cornerback Jaccob Parrish.

Dennis has been one of the Bucs’ core special teamers this season, logging 67 snaps and two tackles. Fordham could the Dennis’ spot on that unit if he is ultimately ruled out for the game while also providing linebacker depth.

Both Fordham and Stick are getting their first elevations of the season and have two more elevations for the season.