The Bucs have elevated safety Richard LeCounte III from the practice squad to the active roster for Sunday’s game against the 49ers in San Francisco. With starting strong safety Ryan Neal out with a thumb injury, Dee Delaney is expected to start in his place and LeCounte will be needed for safety depth.

This is the second time LeCounte has been activated from the practice squad.

Bucs Secondary Has Been Banged Up

Bucs cornerback Carlton Davis III missed the Titans game due to a toe injury, but is expected to return to action this week against the 49ers. Yet strong safety Ryan Neal got injured and will miss the game in San Francisco. Two weeks ago, cornerback Jamel Dean was knocked out of the game at Houston with a concussion in the first quarter.

Bucs S Richard LeCounte III – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Richard LeCounte III (5-11, 196) originally entered the league as a fifth-round pick (169th overall) by the Cleveland Browns in the 2021 NFL Draft. He has appeared in 10 career games, making one start, and recording two tackles plus one special teams tackle. LeCounte was previously elevated for Tampa Bay’s Week 8 matchup against the Buffalo Bills.

The Riceboro, Georgia, native played collegiately at the University of Georgia (2017-20), appearing in 44 games and logging 176 tackles (6.5 for loss), 18 passes defensed, eight interceptions, six fumble recoveries and four forced fumbles. As a junior in 2019, LeCounte led the SEC with three fumble recoveries and ranked second in the conference with four interceptions.

He wears No. 15 for the Bucs.