The Bucs have elevated a defensive player from the practice squad for Sunday’s game at Dallas. Tampa Bay brought up outside linebacker Genard Avery and he is eligible to play against the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football if the team chooses to dress him as one of the 46 active players.

The Bucs signed Avery, a former Steelers linebacker, at the end of training camp. He played in the preseason finale at Indianapolis and the Bucs placed him on the practice squad.

Bucs OLB Genard Avery – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The Bucs could use some help on special teams, especially against new Cowboys return specialist Kavonte Turpin, who returned a kickoff and a punt for a touchdown in the preseason. The 6-foot, 250-pound Avery is regarded as a solid special teams player and that’s why the team signed him after he was a surprise cut in Pittsburgh during the preseason.

Avery Helps Bucs Special Teams

Avery, 27, was released by the Steelers and it was a surprise move to most who cover the team, who thought Avery was in line to be the third outside linebacker for Pittsburgh. Prior to signing with the Steelers, Avery spent the last two and a half seasons with the Eagles. He played in 35 games during his stint in Philadelphia, with 12 starts coming last season. In 2021 he had 43 tackles and one sack with four tackles for loss.

Entering the league in 2018 as a fifth-round selection out of Memphis, Avery had his most productive season his rookie year with the Browns. In five starts he posted 40 tackles, five tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, four pass deflections, a forced fumble and fumble recovery. For his career he has 101 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks.